The Age of Iron

This painting is 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.
The Age of Iron depicts the pillaging of a harbor town. Buildings and a ship are burning, a woman is being thrown from a balcony at right, a man is being stabbed with a pike in the right background and two men are being threatened with swords. Others are collecting riches and armor. Workers fall from a scaffold at left.
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.