124 Daniel Meisner (1585–1625) – Petralia with Emblematic Motto – Copperplate Engraving – 1625
This emblematic engraving shows a panoramic view of Petralia, a historical town in Sicily, with its densely packed architecture cascading over hilly terrain toward the coastline. In the foreground, a carpenter labors amid construction beams, while a monkey imitates human activity on a scaffold—serving as the visual metaphor for the accompanying moral verse. The German motto above reads: Du hast viel zu schaffen, aber wenig ist dir anbefohlen ("You are busy with much, but little is entrusted to you"). Latin and German couplets below reflect on vanity and false pretenses in professional life. This print is plate 907 from Thesaurus Philo-Politicus, a famous emblem book by Daniel Meisner.
Daniel Meisner (1585–1625) was a Bohemian writer and poet best known for Thesaurus Philo-Politicus, a vast emblematic collection pairing idealized city views with moral reflections. Published posthumously through the 1670s, the series merged urban iconography with didactic poetry in both Latin and German, widely popular in Baroque Europe.
Artist or Maker: Daniel Meisner
Dimensions: 15 cm × 20 cm
Medium: Copperplate engraving on laid paper
Date: 1625
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.
| Estimate | 300 - 400 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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