Antique Print-Emblem-Satirical-Proverb-LOVE-DUEL-VIRGIN-SPARROW-Venne-Cats-1655

Copperplate engraving on a verge type hand laid paper. Page includes image and accompanying text on front and rear. Rear includes second emblem. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 25 x 40 cm. The image size is ca. 13.5 x 13.5 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 9.8 x 15.7 inch. The image size is ca. 5.3 x 5.3 inch.

Proverb / ethics emblem : ‘Eerlicke Vryagie. Ne Amor, ne signoria, Vuole Compagnia – Twee mussen aen een kooren-aer, En maken nimmer vreedsaem paer.’ (Two sparrows on one ear of wheat, will never make a peaceful couple.) This plate shows two sparrows fighting over one ear of wheat. In the background two men are fighting a duel with swords. The meaning of this emblem is that a young virgin can not be shared by two men, she is meant to give her love to just one man. This old antique engraved copperplate print and accompanying poetry originate from ‘Alle de Wercken van den heere Jacob Cats…..’, (Complete Works of Jacob Cats) which was published from 1655 on. This plate is from a 1726 edition. The emblems depict lessons of many aspects of life. Each emblem typically has more than one meaning as Cats’ poems talk about ethics, wisdom and morale from the perspective of love, religion and society. His work has often been critisized, but contains a treasure of truth and symbolism, often as relevant as it was during the times of it’s creation. We might carry this item from a smaller size edition and a 19th c. ed. with steel engravings as well. Inquire if interested.Artists and Engravers: The Author is Jacob Cats, also known as Father Cats (born Nov. 10, 1577, Brouwershaven, Zeeland, Spanish Netherlands – died Sept. 12, 1660, Zorgvliet, near The Hague) Dutch poet. A magistrate and high official, he was enormously popular as a writer of emblem books, consisting of woodcuts or engravings with verses possessing a moral. His Mirror of Old and New Times (1632) contains many quotations that have become household sayings in the Netherlands, and he used it to express the ethical concerns of Dutch Calvinists, especially about love and marriage. The famous poetry by Jacob Cats is often accompanied by well engraved images after the design of Adriaen van de Venne. Not all engravings have been signed, but engravers indicated include J. Swelinc, I. Matham, Wil. Hondius, C. v. Quiborne, D. v. Bremden & possibly others.

Condition: Excellent. General age related toning and occasional light staining. Small tears in margins, not affecting image. Please study scan carefully.

Keywords: ANTIQUE PRINT-EMBLEM-SATIRICAL-PROVERB-LOVE-DUEL-VIRGIN-SPARROW-VENNE-CATS

(PCO) A160-12