Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Dialogue Between Soul and Body – Engraving (1655)

Beskrivning

This moralizing engraving depicts a dramatic encounter between a seated elderly man and the skeletal personification of Death, who appears at a desk laden with books and scientific instruments. The central scene is integrated into a printed page titled t'Samen-Spraack Tusschen Ziel en Lichaam (Dialogue Between Soul and Body) and is accompanied by Dutch verses that explore the philosophical relationship between physical existence and the eternal spirit. The composition serves as a memento mori, utilizing the imagery of the study and the presence of a sleeping dog to contrast worldly contemplation with the inevitability of mortality. This work is characteristic of the emblem tradition of the Dutch Golden Age, designed to prompt ethical and spiritual reflection through the interplay of provocative imagery and didactic poetry.

Jacob Cats was a celebrated Dutch poet, jurist, and politician who earned the affectionate nickname Vader Cats (Father Cats) for his widely read moralistic writings. His emblem books, which paired intricate engravings with didactic poetry, were immensely popular across all levels of seventeenth-century Dutch society. Cats’ ability to distill complex theological and social lessons into accessible, everyday imagery made his work a cornerstone of the period's cultural and religious identity. His literary and visual legacy significantly influenced the domestic and ethical values of the Netherlands for generations.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats.

Dimensions: Approximately 39 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1655.

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.