598 - R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The Cat and the Rat, 1773, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The Cat and the Rat, 1773, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam - 1816 ibid.): The Cat and the Rat Illustration for the fable ‘Le Chat et le Rat’, featuring animals in a woodland scene by a waterfall, 1773, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print, with delicate, clear lines and well-graded blacks. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "Vinkeles, del. et sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "LE CHAT ET LE RAT. Fable CLXIV.". Date: 1773 Description: Within a framed picture area, a woodland landscape is depicted, featuring a waterfall, a stream and a tall tree trunk on the right. Several animals are perched on or climbing the trunk and branches, including a bird, small rodents and, bottom left, a cat holding a stretched-out net or a hammock. A rat’s or mouse’s head is visible in the net. The scene is narratively condensed and focused on the interactions between the animals. Delicate parallel hatching structures the sky, water, fur and bark; a denser network of lines emphasises the shaded areas. The foreground and background are clearly layered. The arrangement of the animals suggests a moralising fable illustration. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621 -1695 ) Fables choisies, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Fable; Animals; Cat; Rat; Mouse; Bird; Forest landscape; Waterfall; Tree; Net; Illustration; Book illustration; Engraving; Hatching; Landscape; Depiction of animals; French title; 18th century; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 20,3 cm x 12,8 cm (8 x 5 in), Depiction: 13,1 cm x 8,4 cm (5,2 x 3,3 in) Condition: Rather good condition. Significant ageing of the paper, slightly browned and stained; damage to the edges and tears along the right-hand edge of the page, minor creases and signs of wear; overall, showing age-related imperfections at the edges.