Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Allegory of the Sow and the Piglets – Etching (1658)

Beskrivning

"Wat de seuge doet moeten de biggen ontgelden" depicts a chaotic rural scene within a circular medallion. A farmer stands in the center of a farmyard, raising a flail as he discovers a group of piglets that have knocked over several large pots and containers. The mother sow is seen retreating in the background toward a thatched cottage. This etching was published in Amsterdam as an emblem within the work Saken van State, illustrating the moral proverb that the young must often pay for the mistakes of their elders. The print is accompanied by dense columns of Dutch text and Latin verses that expand upon the social and domestic lessons represented in the image.

Jacob Cats was a highly influential Dutch poet, jurist, and politician who served as Grand Pensionary of Holland. He is best known for his didactic emblem books, which were immensely popular across all levels of Dutch society and earned him the nickname Father Cats. His writings focused on providing moral guidance on marriage, family life, and civic duty, often paired with sophisticated engravings to reinforce his lessons. Cats’ ability to blend popular wisdom with Calvinist morality made his works a staple of the Dutch household during the Golden Age. His literary legacy is inextricably linked to the visual culture of the Netherlands through the numerous high-quality illustrations commissioned for his publications.

Artist or Maker: Jacob Cats.

Dimensions: Approximately 39 cm x 25 cm.

Medium: Etching.

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.