The Voyage of Life: Old Age
1842 National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.
About this artwork
This painting is the final installment of Thomas Cole's four-part allegorical series titled 'The Voyage of Life', commissioned by Samuel Ward. It depicts an elderly man in a weathered boat as he reaches the end of his journey, guided by his guardian angel toward the light of eternity.
Did you know?
Thomas Cole, the founder of the Hudson River School, created this series as a moral allegory representing the four stages of human life. The 'Old Age' canvas is notably the most spiritual of the series, shifting away from the earthly landscapes of the earlier installments toward a heavenly, transcendent horizon. Interestingly, the artist painted two versions of this series; the second set was completed in Rome while he was living in Italy.
On your wall. Unlock the 4K download and keep this piece in your Vault — forever.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
The Voyage of Life: Old Age
Thomas Cole, 1842
