The Voyage of Life

The Voyage of Life is a series of four paintings created by the American artist Thomas Cole in 1840 The paintings, Childhood, Youth, Manhood, and Old Age, depict a voyager who travels in a boat on the River of Life, accompanied by a guardian angel. The landscapes in each instillment, are reflections of the four seasons of the year, with the boat's direction of travel reversed from the previous.

In Childhood, the infant glides from a dark cave into a rich, green landscape.

In Youth, the boy takes control of the boat and aims for a shining castle in the sky.

In Manhood, the adult relies on prayer and religious faith to sustain him through rough waters and a threatening landscape.

In Old Age, finally the man allows his angel to guide him across the waters of eternity.