Allegories of old age. 16th-century illustration of the last stage of human life in which an old man, arms raised at right, is prone to ill-health and disease. The condition of old age is symbolically depicted in the form of natural disasters such as storms, floods, fires, and earthquakes. Lightning and meteors strike from the skies and buildings crumble at upper right. Also shown is an army on horseback with spears and banners. This artwork is from Kapitulum III (Book 3) of 'Zwierciadlo' (1568) by Polish poet and prose writer Mikolaj Rej (1505-1569). Rej, part of the Renaissance in Poland, was one of the founders of Polish literary language and literature.