I found an olden days poster in my attic and it made me think.
I have been having a good tidy up and clear out of late and while I was up in my attic and came across and old poster which depicts:"The Ten ages of man".
I took the poster to a local antique/collectors shop and asked for an opinion. I was told that the poster was not of any significant value as it was a bit worse for wear. However it might fetch something at auction as it was of some historical interest. However, I was not particularly interested in selling the item. What interested me was that the poster had a rather Dickensian feel about it and reflected life and times of those days. First of all it is clear that life was in some way more simpler but in other way somewhat the same.
The religious influence was also more stronger - the title for example "Edens Have" - which means; "The Garden of Eden" - meaning; Earth. Another factor is that it is clear that the male was seen more important than the woman. Life is seen from the male perspective. Perhaps there was another poster made showing the stages of life from a. woman´s perspective, bit I doubt it.
I decided to restore the poster using photoshop
I decided to scan in the poster and restore the colours and retouch the image itself. The information was actually originally in latin so I needed help from a. relative of mine who is fluent in this old language.
I love doing jobs like this as this was a job I used to do professionally some years ago now.
It took some hours of work but I am rather satisfied with the end result.
Below is a low resolution of the poster and as you can see it depicts the ten stages of life, from a male perspective. I removed the latin wording and replaced with an English translation of what was originally written in the boxes. With the image being of a low resolution it is difficult to read what is in there so I have made close-ups of the stages so that you can read them more clearly.
From Birth to age ten.
From age 21 to age 31
From age 40 to age 60
From age 70 to age 80
From age 90 to 100
REFLECTIONS
When you see a life unfold like this before our very eyes it is difficult to ignore just how short life is and perhaps make us think what life is really all about? We are born, we live our life, and then we die. Mostly we try to ignored this FACT and, depending upon our age, we tend to use common phases to fool ourselves: "Im still young yet" - "Ive still got years ahead of me" - "scientists will find a cure for ageing"- But then eventually the passing of time, and the reflection of our own faces in the mirror, force us to accept the inevitable truth that, in fact, not only will we get old, but we will NOT live forever.
It is said that modern society is built on the illusion that we will live forever. The media do not like showing older people so as to keep this illusion strong. Advertisements of young people wearing fahionable clothing, travelling the world and taking part in extreme sports is carefully planned to keep this illusion alive. If older people are shown then they are carefully chosen for their apparent youthful appearance. This all adds the pressure of Hollywood actors to have plastic surgery in order to keep this illusion alive.
In 2014 the actress Kim Novak was asked to present an award at the Oscars and the reaction of her looking "old", not only shocked audiences but it was made a big deal about by the media.
For me, this highlighted the ridiculous and unhealthy attitude of our modern society towards the natural life phenomenon of ageing. And it is only getting worse.
I worry for our younger generations who are bombarded with the idea of eternal youth. How will they cope when they find themselves also getting older. Well we already have clue to this already. According to the journal of Pediatrics - in the last 5 years, there has been a 38% increase in depression among the young - ages between 2o to.30. They are just finding the pressures of life much harder than they thought and are having "mid-life" crises 20 years before they should. This could also explain why sucide among the youth is also on the rise.
This is rather concerning and yet no one, not even the Government, seems to give a damn.
Just to reiterate this, there was a recent local news story on the Television. A land owner in the UK owned a mansion house from Elizabethan times. The roof of the house was in drastic need of repair as the wooden beams were now rotting. The owner was in a pickle because the these wooden beans were made o from the Brazil tree and it would cost a fortune to import beams from Brazil. However, as it turned out, the original owner, and builder of the house, some 150 years ago, had already planed for this very problem in that he had planed 12 such Brazil nut trees on the property. This true story shows that, in the olden days, people understood that they would not live forever and as such they must think of future generations. This is something we definitely DO NOT do today which is why we are ruing the planet. We live in a throw away, live for today society and it seems that we actually all know this but we prefer to live in denial. "Denial is the fundamental response of human-beings" - the architect in the Matrix 2 movie. Was he right?
I do not know the answers to life's problems, but I suggest a good first step for change would be for society to face that fact that we all age and we will all die one day. In a age of uncertainty of what is actually real or not, growing old and the fact that we die, are solid facts.
We should embrace the the truth of this rather than deny them. This would at least help towards a more healthy society.
Thank you for visiting my blog and a warm welcome back next time.
It certainly makes you think how short life is.
You fired up the typewriter again and back at it, that is great!
Ageing and death are two very uneasy facts of life, but it is important to deal with them because one has to face the hard the questions at some point - it is inevitable. It's funny to see your post pop up - I was just reading a book called "Staring In The Sun" by Irvin D. Yalom, that deals with mortality.
It might be an interesting read for you too, he is one of my favorite authors.
Ha ha, hi Nik,- yeah I am beginning to get some motivation back. I am still a little paranoid when ever I go online, especially each time I use a password. But I am gradually getting better, getting my confidence back. That hack really affected me more than I thought. - Anyways, life goes on.
I had been avoiding doing a post until I found this old post in the attic of my house and it put things into perspective a little.
Thanks for suggesting that book "Starining in The Sun" I will look into it. - Cheers mate : )
I believed if you have lived a good life with no regrets and with a clear conscience, then you should look forward to going back to God, our maker. Learning how to age gracefully is something that most cannot do. We have to accept the fact that dying is part of life and well prepare in advance will leave behind precious and good memories. If one can afford a legacy then it is ideal, if not at least leave behind good memories to the next generations after you are gone.
Therefore be happy and be contented and be thankful that we are better than some and not compare to those that have more than you do. Say a prayer each morning when you wake up and be thankful.
Thanks for sharing. God Bless
@jackpot
Much wisdom and truth in your words and they lifted me to know that there are those out there who understand my meaning. Interesting that you mention living life with a good conscience - I once had a friend who was a priest ( he has long since past away) anyway he told me something that I have never forgotten. He said that he had visited more than 2 thousand people on their death bed to help them face their end. Over the years he began to see a pattern. Those whom had tried to live an honest life - not hurt people deliberately or swindle anyone etc - tended to die peacefully and without fear. Those who had done the opposite - hurt people, bullied people or stolen from people - tended to die in severe fear. Even those who were apparently atheists. When I heard that, I decided right there and then to try and live a life without hurting anyone and trying to be honest and help others when I can. I do not know if there is a God or not, but I want to face death peacefully and without fear.
Thanks for the wonderful comment @jackpot
Your Priest friend is right in sharing with you about people dying in Peace. If you have live your life right and not harm anyone, you will have no fear of anything bad coming back to haunt you at your death bed or to your family members or love ones. God Bless all.
@jackpot
Glad to see a new post from you Arthur. You are right about some of the younger generation having early life crises. I know a few people in their early 30's trying to desperately hang on to the lifestyle they had in their 20's.
Thanks man : ) - ...I know what you mean, my own daughters circle of friends are now heading into their 30s and they too are struggling to understated that they are getting older. Society has to change somehow - we need to look back and appreciate that some of the wisdom and traditions from the old days were not so silly.
Hello Mr @arthuradamson I'm really happy to see you active again. Still I'm feeling bad for your loss. Have you recovered your credentials or create new accounts...?
Your Photoshop skill is outclass, very clear and neat. Superb! Stay blessed!
Hi @jawad thanks for asking. Yes I am coming forward now making new accounts etc and I am beginning to calm down ad get over the shock. Always nice to get your blessing, it means a lot.
As I have no interest in cryptocurrency, I did not visit those posts of yours. It is good to see you working in the art field again.
My best wishes
I understand you Arthur, I am having a break from cryptocurrency for a while and getting back into my art again. Just finishing a new painting and will be posting it soon. So nice to hear from you my good man.
I hope this finds you well and busy with your painting.
Arthur, I have a particular reason for making a request. You are one of a few good artists I've met here and I trust your judgement. I have just begun posting my first book and the first 3 postings will be from the aspect (as is the sub-title): 'A love written of by an Artist'
I do not want you to read all the book, just the first 3 posts, which I am keeping fairly short, as I would love to hear your opinion of whether Robert does speak and think as an artist.
In case you are willing, here is the first link:
https://steemit.com/sfandf-fiction/@arthur.grafo/little-cherine-book-01-post001
I look forward to hearing from you - and please, if you don't have the time to read, I will not be upset.
OK, Arthur, I will check it out. I will get back to you soon.
so interesting and informative well written to see old poster about the "The Ten ages of man". whole story is much interesting about different ages and your paintings are awsome. really appreciate your work. Hope always best wishes for you.
Wow this poster is a really cool find, how come I never find stuff like this lying around in my attic? Good job on the restoration it looks fantastic!
Hey thanks Julia. You know I have a very old house which built in 1919 obviously just after WW2, so the poster must have Benn past down even before then. I was covered in dust and cobwebs afterwards lol.
Nice to hear from you : )
Hi @arthuradamson you're again vanished... Everything is okay...?
Dont worry, @jawad09 - I am still here. It is a busy period at the moment with family and we all know that our family has to come first before anything. I will still be posting and will soon return to my normal routine. It is very nice that you think of me though, much appreciated my good friend.
Certainly a lot to think about! An awesome post once again. I always tell people I am young at heart but the body not so much..lol
Nice to hear @deerjay - thanks
hiii dear friend @arthuradamson, i hope you are fine after many days you posted here something.
Hey thank you my dear good fellow. Yes I have been having a break after some tough few days. Good to hear back from you @rabeel
The age of man . It's the life system . Thanks for remmber me
Oh so much so say, so little time my friend! I just want to say one thing today: the picture does not talk about women after 31. A women is not suppose to age. I women only has value when she is young and beautiful. This is what the world is telling us over and over again. Since ages. At leat this is what I see!
Yes I agree @sumsum and @juliapondsfor - I did mention this in the blog - things have not changed so much with regards to women and that was one of the the reasons why I decided to post it. Perhaps I will design my own one focussing on women - but I would need help from a woman of course.
How can I help? :)
I can't believe I didn't even notice this! Good eye.
Always find your posts powerful...thought provoking...caring...
Nice to hear from you again...I'm at stage realizing the number of "quality" years left is very unclear...so make each day count for something more...
Thank. you - you know in the end we eventually come to the realisation that all we really have is the moment - each day is a gift and we should treat our days as such. I wish all your days be filled with positive energy and joy my good fellow
Appreciative of the kind wishes.
Dear @arthuradamson are you okay...? you're not coming with your wonderful blogs since a while. Please let me know you're alright. Thanks!
Hi jawad09 - my next post will explain things some. I am posting it today.
The year gone so fast . How did I suddenly become old . I felt that sentence so sorry.