584 - R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The Farmer from the Danube, 1777, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The Farmer from the Danube, 1777, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam - 1816 ibid.): The Farmer from the Danube The Farmer from the Danube against a backdrop of a fortress and mountainous landscape, Fabelblatt, 1777, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: Drawing clear lines with a beautiful, deep black tone. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "Vinkeles, del. et sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "LE PAYSAN DU DANUBE. Fable CCXI.". Date: 1777 Description: A bearded man wearing a turban-like headdress strides after the right across stony ground, leaning on a staff. Over his shoulder he carries an animal, probably a lamb or a kid. His stooped upper body, downcast gaze and long strides emphasise his hardship. Behind him lie tower-like buildings, walls and a small house; above them, light-coloured mountains and bands of clouds are arranged in tiers. The composition combines figurative elements with a sweeping landscape. Delicate parallel lines, dense hatching and nuanced chiaroscuro give structure to the ground, architecture and sky. The caption identifies the sheet as a fable scene and anchors the depiction in a literary context. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621 -1695 ) Fables choisies, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Farmer; Hiker; Staff; Beast of burden; Mountains; Fortress; Architecture; Landscape; Fable; Book illustration; Engraving; Hatching; Clouds; Path; Figurative element; Turban; Walls; Village; Title cartouche; 18th century; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19,5 cm x 12,8 cm (7,7 x 5 in), Depiction: 13,1 cm x 8,4 cm (5,2 x 3,3 in) Condition: Rather good condition. Tanned paper with age-related discolouration, slight creases at the edges, small stains and isolated foxing, occasional discolouration at the edges and minor signs of wear. There are puncture marks from an old binding on the right-hand edge of the page.