The Life & Age of Man

PrinterPrinted by Kelloggs & Comstock (American, 1848 - 1850)

PublisherPublished by Kelloggs & Comstock (American, 1848 - 1850)

PublisherPublished by D. Needham (American, 1808 - 1888)

Date1848-1850

MediumLithography; printer's ink and watercolor on wove paper

DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (image height x width): 8 15/16 x 12 15/16in. (22.7 x 32.9cm) Sheet (height x width): 9 1/2 x 13 5/16in. (24.1 x 33.8cm)

ClassificationsGraphics

Credit LineMuseum purchase

Object number1970.44.3

DescriptionEleven figures of boys and men are posed on a tiered pedestal. At the far left, a seated woman holds an infant. On the next step is a small boy wearing a cap, jacket, and trousers and holding a hoop and stick. On the third step is a young man wearing a fancy vest, coat, top hat, and trousers and holding a watch. On the fourth step is a soldier in military uniform. On the fifth step is a soldier holding a flag and brandishing a sword. On the top step is a middle-aged man wearing a frock coat and top hat. On the first descending step at the right, an older man wearing an overcoat holds a walking stick. On the next descending step, the man appears older and more stooped. He holds his coat together with his left hand and leans on his cane. On the next descending step, he reaches forward with both hands. On the final descending step, he appears as an extremely bent and aged man, leaning heavily on his cane. At the far right, an extremely old man sits hunched in a chair, attended by a young woman. Vignettes beneath this primary images show a goat, a heifer, a bull, a lion, a fox, a wolf, a dog, a cat, and an ass. A sturdy deciduous tree is at the upper left; a dead and leafless tree is at the upper right. In a vignette beneath the arched subtitle, three young men are seated at a table out of doors. A bottle is on the table, and they appear to be drinking a toast. A man and a woman stand together at the left.

Collections