Public domain
The Ladder of Old Age
From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.
About this work
A ladder of old age: a double-sided ladder. On the steps of the ladder, in the form of a bridge, stand men and women aged 0 to 100 years. Below the bridge, a representation of the Last Judgment. On the gate the text: "Bedenkt den dagh die niet verblyen mag" (Remember the day that cannot be gladdened). To the left front, a putto with the text: "T Begin is soet" (The beginning is sweet), to the right front, death as a skeleton with the text: "T Eynde is de Doot" (The end is Death). Below the representation, a sixteen-line verse in four columns.
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own descriptionSubjects
Credit lineDe trap des ouderdoms. 1761 - 1804. Egmont, erven de Weduwe Jacobus van. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.
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The twelve patriarchs, the sons of Jacob, are seen here / Arranged in a staircase with their names, / As they came to him for his last blessing, / Well knowing that God himself commands that blessing