Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660), Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne (1589–1662) – Gront-Houwelick – Engraving from Houwelick (Rotterdam, Pieter van Waesberge, 1655)

Beskrivning

This page with rich Dutch verse and a symbolic engraving is from Jacob Cats’s moral treatise Houwelick, one of the most influential emblem books of the Dutch Golden Age. The section “Gront-Houwelick” (The Foundation of Marriage) is illustrated with a detailed engraving by Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne, depicting Adam and Eve surrounded by animals in a lush Edenic landscape. The iconography reinforces the theological and moral vision of Cats’s work — marriage as a divine institution rooted in natural and biblical order.

Jacob Cats (1577–1660) was a celebrated Dutch poet, jurist, and statesman known for his emblem books that combined moralistic poetry with richly allegorical illustrations. His work was widely read across generations for its practical wisdom and domestic ideals. Adriaen van de Venne, a prolific illustrator and painter, collaborated extensively with Cats to visualize these moral teachings. This edition was printed by Pieter van Waesberge in Rotterdam in 1655.

Artist or Maker:
Jacob Cats, Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne

Dimensions:
36 cm x 24 cm

Medium:
Engraving with letterpress

Date:
1655

Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.