Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Emblem on Madness and Fury: What Good Does It Do to Wash the Furious One? – Engraving (c. 1620)

Beskrivning

This emblem illustrates the folly of trying to correct a person entrenched in rage or vice, referencing the futility implied by the Latin motto "What Good Does It Do to Wash the Furious One?" The central image depicts a figure struggling violently with a serpentine creature, symbolizing internal rage or madness, while a dog attacks the beast. The scene is set in a landscape overlooking a distant city. The print combines this dramatic visual allegory with lengthy Dutch poetry and Latin mottoes to deliver a moral lesson on the nature of deeply rooted human flaws.

Jacob Cats was a highly celebrated Dutch poet, moralist, and politician of the Golden Age. Known as 'Father Cats' for his accessible, moralizing verse, he authored numerous influential works, most famously his emblem books, which combined intricate engravings with vernacular poetry and Latin maxims. His publications were immensely popular and shaped Dutch domestic morality and literature for centuries.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats

Dimensions: Approximately 42 cm x 26 cm

Medium: Engraving

Date: c. 1620

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.