Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Amor, Tela Penelopes (Love, the Web of Penelope) – Copperplate engraving (17th Century)

Beskrivning

This circular emblem illustrates a moral lesson through the image of a woman standing by a large stone fountain. The engraving depicts a woman in an elaborate 17th-century dress, holding a long stick or probe as she interacts with the water spraying from the ornate, multi-tiered fountain. The scene is set against a sprawling landscape with rolling hills and distant buildings. Below the illustration, the page is organized into two columns of text. The left column, labeled Morale, includes philosophical reflections from Seneca’s Agamemnon and Sallust’s Jugurtha in Latin, followed by a French verse from Pierre Matthieu. The right column, labeled Sacrum, contains a religious commentary from Gregory’s Moralia in Job. This work uses the metaphor of Penelope's endless weaving to reflect on the persistent and often exhausting nature of human desires and the pursuit of love.

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.