Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Allegory of the Barber Surgeon – Etching (1658)

Beskrivning

"In een ander mans oor is te snijden als in een vilten-hoet" depicts a domestic interior where a barber surgeon is performing a procedure on the head of a seated man. A group of onlookers, including women and men in contemporary seventeenth-century Dutch attire, observe the scene with varied expressions. This etching was published in Amsterdam as an emblem within the work Saken van State, illustrating the proverb that it is easy to cut into another man's ear as if it were a felt hat, a metaphor for the lack of empathy when dealing with others' misfortunes. The print is accompanied by dense columns of Dutch text and Latin verses that expand upon the social and moral implications of the scene.

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.