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 Print Quality: An absolutely superb, well-balanced print. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” At the bottom of 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 toward a small mouse on the ground, and gazes intently downward. On the left, a tall tree frames the scene; behind it, a distant landscape unfolds. Delicate parallel and crisscross hatching renders the brickwork, fur, foliage, and ground. The path draws the eye into the depth of the scene, while the house wall and tree trunk stabilize 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), Illustration: 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 mold stains are visible. Slightly discolored at the bottom left.