Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Iam Plenis Nubilis Annis (Now of Marriageable Age) – Copperplate engraving (17th Century)

Beskrivning

This circular emblem illustrates a scene of courtship and counsel set in a wooded landscape. The engraving depicts three figures: a young man in fashionable 17th-century attire standing with his hat in hand, a young woman wearing a high ruff collar, and an older man who gestures as if giving advice. Beside them, a small tree is shown with a heavy stone tied to a branch, a symbolic metaphor for the restraints or guidance necessary in youth. Below the illustration, the page is divided into two columns of moral and sacred text.

Jacob Cats, often affectionately referred to as Father Cats, was one of the most famous poets and emblematists of the Dutch Golden Age. His works achieved immense popularity by blending everyday observations with accessible moral lessons. Cats was a master of the emblem genre, which used a combination of a title, a symbolic image, and explanatory text to convey complex social and religious values. His influence extended throughout the Netherlands and Europe, as his books became standard household reading, celebrated for their ability to turn simple nature and domestic life into profound reflections on human conduct and faith.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats

Dimensions: Approximately 24 cm x 17 cm

Medium: Copperplate engraving

Date: 17th Century

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.