Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Modesty is a fine lantern – engraving (1627)

Beskrivning

This engraving features a circular emblem titled Mulier verecunda lampas sine lumine, depicting a graceful female figure representing Modesty standing in an open landscape. She holds a large, ornate lantern that appears unlit, symbolizing that true virtue and modesty do not seek to draw attention to themselves but shine through quiet character. The work was published as part of Proteus ofte Minne-beelden verandert in Sinne-beelden, a highly popular emblem book that combined moralistic, religious, and romantic themes through symbolic imagery and multilingual commentary. These emblems were designed to provide both aesthetic pleasure and ethical instruction, reflecting the deep cultural integration of visual symbolism in seventeenth-century Dutch society.

Jacob Cats was a renowned Dutch poet, jurist, and politician who remains one of the most prominent figures of the Dutch Golden Age. Often referred to as Vader Cats, he was celebrated for his moralistic poetry and emblem books, which were found in nearly every Dutch household alongside the Bible. Cats served in several high-ranking political offices, including Grand Pensionary of Holland, and his literary work focused heavily on domestic life, marriage, and Christian virtues. His ability to distill complex ethical lessons into accessible visual and poetic forms made him a defining moral authority of his era and a central figure in the development of Dutch national literature.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats and Adriaen van de Venne.

Dimensions: Approximately 40 cm x 26 cm.

Medium: engraving.

Date: 1627.

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.