Bilder Adriaen van de Venne (after) – Emblem XIV: Amissa Libertate laetior (Sweeter in Captivity) – Copperplate Engraving from Alle de Wercken by Jacob Cats (1726)

Beskrivning

This emblematic copperplate engraving depicts a solitary parrot inside a hanging birdcage, a poetic image symbolizing the paradox of joyful captivity—most often interpreted as love, marital devotion, or moral submission. The Latin title Amissa libertate laetior ("Happier without freedom") is paired with the Dutch verse “Bly, door slaverny – Dwanck, leert sanck”, which translates roughly as “Joyful in slavery – constraint teaches song.” The emblem is part of the renowned 1726 edition of Jacob Cats’ Alle de Wercken, a comprehensive folio work filled with moral poetry, religious allegory, and emblematic prints.

Accompanying the image is multilingual poetry—Dutch, Latin, French—demonstrating the broad humanistic and didactic intent of Cats’ work. The visual program is based on designs by Adriaen van de Venne, a key illustrator of the Dutch Golden Age, while engraving attribution spans artists such as J. Swelinck, C. van Quiborne, and others.

Jacob Cats (1577–1660), affectionately known as “Vader Cats,” was one of the most widely read Dutch authors of the 17th century. His emblem books expressed Calvinist ethics and domestic values, shaping the moral consciousness of generations.

Artist or Maker:
Adriaen van de Venne (after)

Dimensions:
38 cm x 25 cm

Medium:
Copperplate engraving with letterpress

Date:
1726

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.