72 Adriaen van de Venne – ‘t Samen-Spraeck tusschen de Dood en een Oud Man
This allegorical copperplate engraving, titled 't Samen-Spraeck tusschen de Dood en een Oud Man (“Dialogue between Death and an Old Man”), shows a contemplative man seated across from a personification of Death—rendered as a skeleton in a cloak, gesturing calmly as he speaks. The interior setting is quiet and austere, with a draped curtain and open book on the floor. This emblem captures one of the most memorable scenes in Jacob Cats’ moral and religious writings: a sober conversation at life’s end, where spiritual readiness and reflection on mortality take center stage.
Originally designed by Adriaen van de Venne, the image embodies the Calvinist ideals that pervade Cats’ work—acceptance of death, humility, and trust in divine judgment. The engraving appeared in Alle de Wercken, the monumental collected works of Cats, widely reprinted in large folio format, notably in 1655 and 1726.
Jacob Cats (1577–1660), poet and statesman of the Dutch Republic, was revered as a “father of the people” for his emblem books and moral verse, which shaped Dutch cultural and domestic life well into the 18th century.
Artist or Maker:
Adriaen van de Venne (after)
Dimensions:
38 cm x 24.5 cm
Medium:
Copperplate engraving
Date:
Originally ca. 1655, published in 1726
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 - 500 SEK |
| Buyers Premium (inc. VAT) | 24.4% |
| Hammer Fee (inc. VAT) | 6 SEK |
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