The Age of Bronze

These paintings are from a set of four representing Ovid’s Four Ages of Man from the
Metamorphoses: Golden Age, Silver Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Over time, these stages of human existence on earth progress from heavenly toward a state where strife and greed prevail as the metals progress from higher to lower in value.

In The Age of Bronze a member of the royal court oversees the unloading of five beautiful bronze vessels, some filled with coins near the throne platform. The king sits on his throne at the right with a scribe and three supplicants. A likely questionable transaction is being enacted to the right of the throne platform using a hand scale. In the background workers prepare a garden and a man dips water from an artesian well. The sky is bright with sun setting behind the mountains.

Originally from Antwerp, Franck studied in Tintoretto’s workshop in Venice and then remained there, opening a studio of his own under the name of Paulo Fiammingo. In 1580 he was commissioned by Hans Fugger to paint the four ages scenes for his family’s summer residence.