Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Music Lessons for Young Lovers – Engraving (1630–1660)

Beskrivning

This engraving depicts a moralizing scene of a music lesson, featured within an oval frame as an emblem for the work of Eerlicke Vryagie. The composition shows a group of young men and women gathered around a table in a domestic interior, playing various string and wind instruments while singing from open songbooks. In the background, a small window reveals a secondary scene of a couple strolling in a garden, reinforcing the theme of courtship. The illustration is accompanied by extensive multilingual text in Dutch, Latin, Italian, and French, including the Dutch heading Liefde leert singen / Oock sonder dwingen, which suggests that love inspires harmony and music without the need for force. This work served as a technical plate within an emblem book intended to provide moral and social instruction on the nature of honorable courtship and the civilizing influence of the arts.

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.