582 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Dog with Prey by the Water, 1770, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Dog with Prey by the Water, 1770, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam – 1816 ibid.): A dog with its prey by the water. The dog lets go of its prey in order to get into the shade; illustration for a fable, 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: “LE CHIEN QUI LÂCHE SA PROYE POUR L’OMBRE. Fable CX.” Date: 1770 Description: A dog stands in the foreground by a body of water, leaning toward it with its head bowed, holding a piece of prey in its mouth. Its reflection appears in the water, adding a narrative element to the scene. Behind it, a grassy slope, a tower, and small buildings rise up; on the right, a tree swaying in the wind frames the scene. Delicate parallel and crisscrossing hatching renders the sky, the terrain, and the dog’s coat. The pictorial space is clearly layered, extending from the water’s edge up the slope to the distant view. The composition combines the depiction of the animal with the landscape to form a moralizing fable about deception, desire, and loss. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Dog; Fable; Reflection; Prey; Water; Shore; Landscape; Tower; Tree; Farmstead; Moral lesson; Depiction of an animal; Book illustration; Hatching; Body of water; Hill; Distant view; French title; Vignette; Printed artwork; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.6 cm x 12.4 cm (7.7 x 4.9 in), Illustration: 13.0 cm x 8.4 cm (5.1 x 3.3 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 show minimal wear. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint mold stains are visible.