594 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Jupiter with Lightning, 1773, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Jupiter with Lightning, 1773, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam – 1816 ibid.): Jupiter with Lightning: Jupiter hurls bolts of lightning across a landscape featuring a village and a bridge, 1773, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: Clear lines with a beautiful, balanced shade of black. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” Inscribed in the printing plate at the bottom: “JUPITER ET LES TONNERRES. Fable CLXII.” Date: 1773 Description: A winged male deity sits upon clouds and hurls jagged bolts of lightning toward a landscape featuring houses, a bridge, a stream, and small, decorative figures. His muscular body, covered only by a cloth, is bent forward; his arm and gaze are directed energetically downward. Beside him, an eagle and a throne-like seat appear as attributes. Below, the people do not react individually but form casual counter-figures to the celestial events. Dense parallel hatching, cross-hatching, and delicate modulations in the clouds create chiaroscuro and a sense of depth. The composition combines dramatic diagonals at the top with the calm horizontality of the water in the foreground and a narrative distance at the bottom. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Jupiter; Lightning; Eagle; Clouds; Mythology; Landscape; Village; Bridge; Watercourse; Smoke; Thunderstorm; Deity; Throne; Figurative decoration; Etching; Hatching; Celestial phenomenon; Architecture; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.7 cm x 13.1 cm (7.8 x 5.2 in), Image: 13.2 cm x 8.5 cm (5.2 x 3.3 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. The paper is noticeably browned, with discoloration along the margins, scattered stains, and small areas of fading at the margins; on the left, there are traces of former binding or stitching; the corners and margins are slightly bumped.