573 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), *The Hare in a Riverside Landscape*, 1770, etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), *The Hare in a Riverside Landscape*, 1770, etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741, Amsterdam – 1816, ibid.): The Hare in a River Landscape *Les oreilles du lièvre*: A hare in an idealized river and mountain landscape, 1770, Etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print with crisp lines and well-balanced black tones. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculps.” At the lower part, inscribed in the printing plate: “LES OREILLES DU LIÈVRE. Fable LXXXVI.” Date: 1770 Description: An idealized riverside landscape stretches across a rectangular picture area. In the foreground, a hare with its ears pricked up leaps across stony ground crisscrossed by watercourses. Behind it lie a calm river, scrub, and clumps of trees on either side. In the background, a rocky mountain range rises beneath towering clouds. The composition draws the eye from the animal in the foreground across the water and into the distance. Delicate parallel hatching gives structure to the sky, ground, and water; denser cross-hatching darkens the treetops and the animal’s body. The figure and the background remain clearly distinct. The scene combines the depiction of an animal with a narratively framed landscape and an emblematic climax. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Hare; Landscape; River; Trees; Mountains; Clouds; Animal fable; Title cartouche; Hatching; Black-and-white print; Foreground; Riverbank; Scrub; Natural setting; Idealized landscape; Book illustration; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.6 cm x 13.0 cm (7.7 x 5.1 in), Illustration: 13.0 cm x 8.1 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 mold stains are visible. The right-hand side of the page edge is slightly creased.