Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Allegory of the Hens and the Grain – Etching (1658)

Beskrivning

"Met voeten en becken Plag den haen tot hem te trecken" depicts a group of hens and a rooster feeding in an open landscape. In the background, two figures in seventeenth-century Dutch attire stand near a simple wooden fence, observing the birds. This etching was published in Amsterdam as an emblem within the work Saken van State, illustrating a moral lesson regarding social behavior and the acquisition of resources. The print is accompanied by several columns of Dutch text and Latin verses that provide deeper philosophical and domestic commentary on 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.

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.