Bilder Jacob Cats (1577–1660) – Allegory of the Sheep and the Pig – Etching (1658)

Beskrivning

"Veel geschreeuws en luttel wol" depicts a rural scene within an oval medallion where two men are engaged in shearing animals. On the left, a man shears a sheep that rests quietly, while on the right, another man attempts to shear a pig that struggles and squeals. This etching was published in Amsterdam as an emblem within the work Saken van State, illustrating the proverb "much cry and little wool," a metaphor for situations that involve a great deal of fuss or noise but yield very little practical result. The print is surrounded by extensive Dutch text and smaller passages of Italian and Latin that offer moral and social commentary on the futility of certain endeavors.

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.