Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660), Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne (1589–1662) – Noah’s Ark and the Drowned World – Engraving from Houwelick (Rotterdam, Pieter van Waesberge, 1655)

Beskrivning

This allegorical engraving titled “Geestelick” (Spiritual) from Jacob Cats’s emblem book Houwelick depicts Noah’s Ark afloat amidst the chaos of the Deluge. The image shows the ark preserved under a radiant rainbow while the surrounding waters are filled with the drowned bodies of humanity and animals, symbolizing divine judgment and salvation. The scene is rich with symbolic resonance, drawing parallels between biblical deliverance and moral rebirth through faith and order — key themes in Cats’s writings.

Jacob Cats (1577–1660) was a Dutch statesman and moralist poet, renowned for his emblematic works that shaped Dutch domestic ideology and Protestant values. Houwelick was one of his most popular books, intended to instruct readers on the moral foundations of life and marriage. The engraving was executed by Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne, whose refined compositions vividly convey the moral narratives accompanying Cats’s verse. This edition was published in Rotterdam in 1655 by Pieter van Waesberge.

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.