The Three Ages of Man  1540

The three ages of humankind are represented by two boys peeping behind a bush, by two lovers, and by two old men. But the primary subject is a pastoral landscape (indeed, the old men were a second thought). Landscape was a genre inspired by classical literature and intended above all to delight the eye. Dosso’s wit, much prized at the court of Ferrara, is seen in the detai...