An allegorical engraving by Gerard de Jode depicting the influence of Saturn on old age, featuring symbolic elements of time and conscience.

This engraving by Gerard de Jode, a prominent cartographer and printmaker based in Antwerp, explores the astrological and moral associations of old age. The composition is divided into two distinct realms. In the upper portion, the deity Saturn appears amidst clouds, holding a scythe and a child, representing the inexorable passage of time and the cycle of life and death. Below, an elderly man sits in a contemplative posture, leaning on a staff. He is accompanied by a female figure labelled 'Conscientia', or conscience, who holds a book, suggesting that the reflection on one's life is a necessary component of the final years.

The background depicts a town square, where daily life continues in the shadow of these allegorical figures. Figures are shown engaged in various activities, including a beggar receiving alms, which reinforces the themes of mortality and human frailty. The inclusion of an hourglass and a small brazier near the seated man serves as a memento mori, reminding the viewer of the fleeting nature of existence. The engraving style is characteristic of the period, utilising precise hatching and cross-hatching to define form and shadow. The work is part of a series illustrating the influence of the planets on human life, a popular subject in sixteenth-century print culture. De Jode demonstrates a mastery of the burin, creating a clear distinction between the celestial and terrestrial planes while maintaining a cohesive narrative flow. The Latin inscription at the base provides a moralising commentary on the inevitability of the end of life under the influence of Saturn.