Bilder Jacob Cats (1577-1660) – Allegory of the candle and the sun – Engraving (1658)

Beskrivning

"Christelycke Bedenckingen. Quid est homo? Lucerna sub dio posita." This engraving features a central circular emblem set within a rectangular frame, depicting a candle burning on a decorative stand in an open landscape while the sun shines brightly in the sky. The work is from the series Christelycke Bedenckingen, included in the comprehensive volume Alle de Wercken by Jacob Cats. It was published in Amsterdam by Jan Jacobsz Schipper in 1658. The composition serves as a religious and philosophical allegory, comparing the fleeting life of man (the candle) to the eternal presence of the divine (the sun), a prominent theme in seventeenth-century Dutch moral literature.

Jacob Cats was a renowned Dutch poet, jurist, and diplomat who became one of the most widely read and influential authors of the Dutch Golden Age. He is best known for his didactic emblem books, which utilized complex imagery and verse to provide moral and religious instruction to the Dutch public. His cultural impact was so significant that he was affectionately known as Father Cats, as his books were staples in almost every household in the Netherlands. In addition to his literary success, Cats held high political office, serving as the Grand Pensionary of Holland and playing a central role in the state's diplomatic affairs.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats.

Dimensions: Approximately 40 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Engraving.

Date: 1658.

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.