The Ages of Life - Georges Lacombe

A symbolic depiction of the human life cycle by Nabis artist Georges Lacombe, featuring stylised figures within a rhythmic forest setting.

Georges Lacombe, a member of the Nabis group, painted The Ages of Life in 1894. This work displays the characteristic flat planes and decorative synthesis favoured by the Nabis, who sought to move away from naturalistic representation toward a more subjective, symbolic expression. The composition is arranged across a woodland floor, where the cycle of human existence is depicted through distinct figures.

On the left, a young woman leads a small child, representing the beginning of life. Moving towards the centre, a couple in an embrace signifies maturity and romantic union. To the right, a seated woman gathers flowers, while in the background, a hunched, cloaked figure leans on a staff, embodying old age and the approach of death. The dark, stylised trees create a rhythmic backdrop, their forms echoing the silhouettes of the figures below. The palette is dominated by earthy tones, punctuated by the bright yellow of the flowers and the soft glow of the horizon.

Lacombe was heavily influenced by the aesthetic of Paul Gauguin and the Japanese woodblock prints that were circulating in Paris at the time. He often utilised distemper, a medium that produces a matte, chalky finish, which contributes to the mural-like quality of this piece. The lack of traditional perspective forces the viewer to focus on the narrative arrangement of the figures rather than the depth of the space. This work reflects the Nabis interest in the spiritual and the decorative, treating the canvas as a surface for symbolic storytelling rather than a window into reality. The figures appear almost as cut-outs against the forest, creating a sense of stillness and timelessness that is characteristic of Lacombe's output during his time in Brittany.