606 - R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The cat and the young mouse, 1778, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741-1816), The cat and the young mouse, 1778, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam - 1816 ibid.): The Cat and the Young Mouse Le vieux chat et la jeune souris, Fable CCXVIII, 1778, Etching Technique: Etching on Paper Impression Quality: An absolutely superb, well-balanced print. Inscription: lower left signed in the printing plate: "Vinkeles, del. et sculp.". At the lower part inscribed in the printing plate: "LE VIEUX CHAT ET LA JEUNE SOURIS. / Fable CCXVIII.". Date: 1778 Description: Within a rectangular frame, a cat appears in the foreground in front of a rural building with a round-arched doorway and a smoking chimney. It crouches low, stretches out its front paws after a small mouse on the ground and gazes intently downwards. On the left, a tall tree frames the scene; behind it, a distant landscape opens up. Delicate parallel and criss-cross hatching renders the brickwork, fur, foliage and ground. The path draws the eye into the depth of the scene, whilst the house wall and tree trunk stabilise the composition. The depiction has a narrative quality and, through the inscription, alludes to a scene from a fable. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621 -1695 ) Fables choisies, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Cat; Mouse; Fable; House; Farmhouse; Tree; Landscape; Chimney; Smoke; Path; Depiction of an animal; Book illustration; Title cartouche; Hatching; rural scene; foreground; arched doorway; inscription; 18th century; print; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19,8 cm x 12,9 cm (7,8 x 5,1 in), Depiction: 13,0 cm x 8,2 cm (5,1 x 3,2 in) Condition: Good condition. Overall, in good condition for its age and well preserved. Puncture marks from an old binding are visible on the side of the page edge. The corners of the sheets are slightly bumped. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint mould stains are visible. Slightly discoloured at the bottom left.