Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Young Man Wearing Fool's Shoes – Engraving (1630–1660)

Beskrivning

This engraving depicts a moralizing scene centered on a young man in flamboyant contemporary attire dancing or walking clumsily while wearing oversized fool's shoes, featured within an oval frame for the publication Jongeling. The composition illustrates the youth in an urban square, surrounded by various discarded items on the ground, while several onlookers in the background observe his antics with amusement or disdain. The illustration is accompanied by extensive multilingual text in Dutch, Latin, French, Spanish, Italian, and English, including a Dutch proverb at the top that warns that everyone must wear out a pair of fool's shoes before becoming truly wise. This work served as a technical plate within an emblem book intended to provide moral and social instruction to young people through the combination of visual allegory and pithy sententiae regarding the follies of youth.

Jacob Cats was a highly influential Dutch poet, jurist, and politician who became one of the most widely read authors of the Dutch Golden Age. He is best remembered for his emblem books, which combined moralistic verse with detailed illustrations to offer guidance on marriage, household management, and child-rearing. His works, often referred to affectionately as the Father Cats bibles, were staple household items in the Netherlands for centuries due to their accessible wisdom and relatable domestic themes. Beyond his literary success, Cats served in high government offices, including as Grand Pensionary of Holland, and his contributions to Dutch culture solidified his role as a primary voice for the ethical and social values of the seventeenth-century mercantile class.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats.

Dimensions: Approximately 39 cm x 25 cm .

Medium: Engraving .

Date: 1630–1660

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.