Bilder Jacob Cats (1577-1660) – Passing the Torch – Engraving (1655)

Beskrivning

"Lampada trado." This circular engraving, set within a square architectural frame, depicts an elderly man handing a lit lantern to a younger man in a landscape at night. The scene captures the moment of transition, with the moon visible in the cloudy sky above. This print originates from the collective works of Jacob Cats, specifically the section titled Christelycke Bedenckingen, published in Amsterdam by Jan Jacobsz. Schipper. The image serves as a moral allegory for the passing of knowledge, life, or responsibility from one generation to the next, emphasizing the continuity of wisdom and the duty of the young to carry forward the light of their predecessors.

Jacob Cats was a preeminent Dutch poet, jurist, and diplomat who became one of the most widely read authors of the Dutch Golden Age. He achieved immense popularity through his didactic emblem books, which utilized everyday domestic imagery to convey complex moral, religious, and social lessons. His writing style was so accessible and his moral advice so deeply integrated into Dutch culture that he earned the affectionate title Father Cats. Beyond his literary success, Cats held high-ranking political positions, including the office of Grand Pensionary of Holland, and played a significant role in the diplomatic and legal foundations of the Dutch Republic.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats.

Dimensions: Approximately 40 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.