604 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Love and Madness, 1779, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Love and Madness, 1779, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam – 1816 ibid.): Love and Madness: Allegorical scene “L’Amour et la Folie” featuring Cupid on clouds, 1779, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print, with clear lines and nuanced chiaroscuro tones. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” At the lower part, inscribed in the printing plate: “L’AMOUR ET LA FOLIE. Fable CCXXVII.” Date: 1779 Description: Within a rectangular picture frame, a female figure appears on billowing clouds, accompanied by a winged boy. The woman is wearing a long robe, a ruff, and a pointed headdress; with her arm outstretched, she holds a staff with a small figure on it. The boy takes her hand and looks up at her. Behind them, masses of clouds pile up; to the left, the view opens out onto a building and flat terrain, while to the right, trees frame the scene. Delicate parallel and crisscrossing hatching renders the robes, clouds, and vegetation. The composition combines allegorical figures with a distant landscape and a sense of layered depth. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Allegory; Female figure; Cupid; Putto; Clouds; Staff; Landscape; Building; Tree; Fable; Book illustration; Garment; Hatching; Sky; Frame; Title cartouche; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.7 cm x 13.1 cm (7.8 x 5.2 in), Image: 13.0 cm x 8.3 cm (5.1 x 3.3 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. The sheet is generally discolored, showing clear signs of age, soiling along the edges, and isolated stains; there is a vertical crease or pressure mark on the left, slight wear to the corners and edges, and general aging of the paper.