Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – He who has a fine cat, must have a fine mouse – engraving (1632)

Beskrivning

This engraving features a circular emblem depicting a well-dressed woman seated at a table, attempting to coax a cat away from a mouse it has captured. The scene is a domestic allegory illustrating the inevitable consequences or secondary requirements that follow a primary acquisition or desire, as summarized by the Dutch proverb De katte die veel snoepen wilt / Die licht een op den neus ghekrijgt. The work was published as part of Spiegel van den Ouden en Nieuwen Tijdt, a major emblem book that utilized common proverbs and household scenarios to impart moral, ethical, and practical wisdom. These illustrations were central to the cultural landscape of the Dutch Republic, serving to both entertain and instruct the reader through a blend of visual symbolism and popular verse.

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 25 cm x 17 cm.

Medium: engraving.

Date: 1632.

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.