Why it matters
Old women bathe in a fountain, are rejuvenated, and then indulge in music, dance and good food. Cranach's fairy-tale scene reflects the real medieval belief that certain baths could heal and rejuvenate.
Did you know?
- It was painted in 1546.
- Only women bathe in the fountain.
- The barren rocks on the left stand for old age, the green forest on the right for youth.
- It bears Cranach's workshop sign, a winged serpent.
Based on the Wikipedia article The Fountain of Youth (Cranach) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
