Hektoen International

A Journal of Medical Humanities

The Fountain of Youth

But O that I were young again
And held her in my arms.

— Yeats

Since time immemorial, people in most countries of the world have looked for remedies to repair the ravages of time and make them young again. This has given rise to many tales about miraculous springs of water they could drink or bathe in to achieve their purpose. How all this is to work is illustrated in the paintings of the several artists shown here:

 

Fountain of Youth-Cranach Fountain of youth_Veith
Fountain of Youth, 1546

Lucas Cranach the Elder

Fountain of Youth

Eduard Veith

 

Fountain of Youth, 16th century

Hans Sebold Bechan

Portrayed in a German woodcut

 


 

GEORGE DUNEA, MD, Editor-in-Chief

 

Winter 2012    |  Sections  |  Art Flashes

 

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