# The Three Ages of Man [View the canonical artwork record]() ## Artwork - Artist: [TIZIANO Vecellio]() - Date: 1501-1550 - Technique: Oil on canvas, 90 x 152 cm ## Commentary The Three Ages of Man c. 1512 Oil on canvas, 90 x 152 cm National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh The young Titian was influenced by Giorgione, it is therefore not surprising that this work has been the subject of scholarly debate concerning its attribution to either one of the two artists. The subject is not entirely clear but appears to have cyclical overtones. The sleeping children are protected from injury or death from the tottering dead tree stump by Cupid, who then fuels their passion as young adults but cannot prevent old age and death. The juxtaposition of the sage with two skulls with the dead tree and protecting cupid suggests a pattern of rebirth. ## Related artworks - [A Knight of Malta]() - [Adam and Eve]() - [Allegory of Time Governed by Prudence]() - [Angel of the Annunciation]() - [Annunciation]() - [Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle \(detail\)]() - [Antoine Perrenot de Granvelle]() - [Assumption of the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Assumption of the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Assumption of the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Assumption of the Virgin \(detail\)]() - [Assumption of the Virgin]() ## Attribution [Web Gallery of Art]()