198 Jacob Cats (1577-1660) - Alle De Wercken Van Den Heere

2 volumes, folio: [24]-666-[9]-[1 bl.], [18]-608-67-[1] pp. (some minor spotting or soiling; volume I: small repair at part title; volume II: lacking title and author's portrait, leaves 2N2-3 reinforced at blank fore-edge margin). - This extensively illustrated edition presents the collected works (first published in 1655) of Jacob Cats (1577-1660). Engraved illustrations include 2 title vignettes, 1 endpiece, a title page with the author's portrait, a full-page author's portrait by Michael Natalis after Dubordieu, a full-page portrait of Anna Maria Schurman by S.V. Lamsweerde (fully underlaid), 3 exquisite double-page plates such as "Afbeeldinghe des huwelyx onder de gedaente van een fuyk" by A. vander Venne, 3 full-page plates, 9 illustrations on part-titles, and approximately 450 emblematic illustrations throughout the text. Also included are his two last works: "Twee-en-tachtig-jarig leven", an autobiography in verse, and "Gedachten op slapeloose nachten". Beyond showcasing Jacob Cats' literary talent, this work provides a remarkable insight into everyday life in the 17th century. - Emblem books Leiden 144.