Antique Satire Print-VIRGIN-WREATH-CHASTITY-Cats-1655

Description

Original copperplate engraving on a verge type hand laid paper. Sheet has image and text on front and rear. on paper.

Size in cm: The overall size is ca. 24 x 40 cm. The image size is ca. 14.5 x 16 cm. Size in inch: The overall size is ca. 9.4 x 15.7 inch. The image size is ca. 5.7 x 6.3 inch.

Proverb / ethics emblem : This plate is the title page of a section in the works of Jacob Cats: ‘Wegh-wyser ten Houwelyck uyt den dool-hof der kalverliefde. Tweede deel, Vryster.’, (transl.: Road-map to marriage from the maze of puppy love. Second part, Marriage first part lover / bachelor woman.) The device of this print is ‘Flos Mihi Dos’ (Blazon for the lover / bachelor woman.), referring to the 2 veiled young woman holding a virgin wreath. The un-touched bunch of grapes symbolizes their chastity. The turtle symbolizes ‘Sedichheit’ (decency) as it always carries its own home with him. The cameleon symbolizes ‘Schaemte.’ (disgrace) as it turns colour. The accompanying text talks about women carrying as part of their dowry their virginity / their flower. 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: Fine. General age related toning. Occasional light staining. Light dampstaining in margin not efecting image. Image does not show entire page.

Keywords: ANTIQUE SATIRE PRINT-VIRGIN-WREATH-CHASTITY-CATS

(PCO) A189-02