Follower of Pietro da Cortona, The Age of Iron, 17th Century, Oil on Canvas

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Oil on canvas. The work is based on the fresco created by Pietro da Cortona on a wall of the … Read more Oil on canvas. The work is based on the fresco created by Pietro da Cortona on a wall of the Sala della Stufa in Palazzo Pitti, part of the cycle of the Four Ages of Man, inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses. Scenes from the Bronze and Iron Ages contrast images of a civilized society with those of the violence perpetrated during wartime. As Ovid states, fraud and deception arose during the Iron Age, and men not only demanded that the earth bear fruit, but also dug into its depths. Thus iron and gold were discovered, and war began, bringing with it acts of pillage and violent plunder, even against the defenseless, such as the elderly, women, and children. This scene, also known as 'Group of Soldiers Massacring Civilians' depicts dramatic scenes of violence and oppression, such as the soldier in the foreground about to kill the defenseless old man lying on the ground, or, on the right, the man cutting off a young mother's hair to take her ornaments, despite her pleas. The painting shows traces of previous minor restorations. It has a frame. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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