Old Age in Art

Old Age in Art shows how aged individuals have been depicted from ancient Greece and Rome to the present century. It explores portraits, including self-portraits of artists in old age, and stories of older figures in religion, myth and history, focusing on the theme of wisdom versus folly. The book also discusses the concept of old age within the Ages of Humanity, especially during the Middle Ages and early modern periods. The final chapter examines how renowned artists like Michelangelo, Titian, and Monet turned to experimental forms and new subjects in their later years, revealing a comparative ‘old age style’. This book provides a comprehensive overview of old age in European art history.