53 Jacob Cats (1577–1660), Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne (1589–1662) – Verschil Tusschen Leven en Dood – Engraving from Houwelick (Rotterdam, Pieter van Waesberge, 1655)
This moralistic emblem titled “Verschil Tusschen” (Difference Between) is part of Jacob Cats’s influential emblem book Houwelick and contrasts the passionate folly of youth with the inevitable reality of death. The engraving depicts a young man, guided by Cupid, aiming his bow toward pleasures, while Death—depicted as a skeleton wielding a spade and an hourglass—advances with relentless certainty. The scene is rich in allegorical figures: life on the left, death on the right, with symbolic animals and barren trees reinforcing the cycle of human destiny.
Jacob Cats (1577–1660) was a key figure in Dutch literature and morality, renowned for his emblem books that blended instructive poetry with allegorical illustrations.
Adriaen van de Venne (1589–1662), his longtime collaborator, illustrated the volume with detailed, dramatic engravings that visualized moral lessons for a wide audience. This emblem, from the 1655 Rotterdam edition published by Pieter van Waesberge, exemplifies the Baroque fascination with vanitas themes and the fleeting nature of youth and beauty.
Artist or Maker:
Jacob Cats, Adriaen Pietersz. van de Venne
Dimensions:
36 cm x 24 cm
Medium:
Engraving with letterpress
Date:
1655
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.
| Värdering | 2 000 - 3 000 SEK |
| Köparprovision (inkl. moms) | 25% |
| Slagavgift (inkl. moms) | 60 SEK |
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