In the foreground stand two archers, one of whom shoots at an unseen target on top of the pole. Behind them are men & women engaged in amorous pursuits. Such encounters in wooded settings, as shown at left & in the background, had become a popular theme in art, inspired in particular by the paintings of Watteau & prints after them. This is the third in a series of four canvases by Lancret (all in the Collection) which represent the Four Ages of Man
- ' Childhood', ‘ Adolescence’, ' Youth', & ' Old Age'.