Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Ludite, Sed Caste (Play, But Chaste) – Copperplate engraving (17th Century)

Beskrivning

This circular emblem illustrates a moral lesson through the image of a hedgehog surrounded by mice in a rural landscape. The engraving depicts a large hedgehog at the center of the composition, with several small mice approaching it across the grassy ground. In the background, a sprawling Dutch cityscape is visible along the horizon, complete with church spires and windmills under a wide, clouded sky. The work uses the hedgehog’s spines as a metaphor for the necessary defenses one must maintain in social and romantic interactions to preserve virtue.

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 of nature 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.