Print Description
This print shows the funeral of Tyter the dog of Willem de Bont. Mr. Willem de Bont, bailiff (schout) in Leiden ‘was a controversial figure as a merciless prosecutor of the Remonstrants (a group of moderate-minded Protestants). When his dog Tyter died, he buried him with impressive pomp on the 20th [actually 29th] January 1634. […] Tyter’s corpse was borne along to the tolling of bells. The bier was followed by a maidservant in mourning who carried young dogs, descendants of Tyter, on her arm. The pups wore cr?pe bands. More dogs, also in weepers, followed. A cat that was also invited refused to join the procession. After the funeral the children were given a generous treat. This eccentric event inspired Joost van den Vondel ? who sympathized with the Remonstrants ? to write his satire ‘Aen alle Honde-slagers en Hondenbeuls’ (‘To all the dog-butchers and dog executioners’): Bailiff Bont, sitting on the kennel, / Let all the dog fanciers know / That Tyter will be buried; / That he will serve cake and wine / And with his curs and his scoundrels / Will water the grave of the dog’s soul.’ (Johan Koppenol: ‘Noah’s Ark Disembarked In Holland: Animals In Dutch Poetry, 1500?1700’ in ‘Early Modern Zoology: The Construction of Animals in Science, Literature and the Visual Arts’, 2007 p. 483).
Made by an anonymous engraver after Vondel.
Medium: Etching / engraving on hand laid (verge) paper.
Sheet size: 25.7 x 15.6 cm (10.12 x 6.14 inch). Image size: 24.7 x 15 cm. (9.72 x 5.91 inch).
Condition: good, given age. Fold as published. Some brown spots. Tiny tear in left margin been restored. Very small paper loss in right margin. Smudges in right corner and on reverse. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
DOG-FUNERAL-TYTER-WILLEM DE BONT-BAILIFF-VONDEL | RB-A7-29
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
This attractive print was published in Joost van den Vondel’s: ‘Hekeldichten’ by P. Brakman in Amersfoort 1707. .
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