612 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), An Owl and Some Mice in Front of a Castle, 1778, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), An Owl and Some Mice in Front of a Castle, 1778, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam – 1816 ibid.): An Owl and Mice in Front of a Castle An owl and mice in a landscape in front of a fortified castle; illustration for a fable, 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.”; inscribed in the printing plate at the bottom: “LES SOURIS ET LE CHAT-HUANT. Fable CCXIII.” Date: 1778 Description: Within a rectangular picture area, an owl is perched on gnarled roots in the foreground on the left. On the ground below, small mice can be seen among stones and undergrowth. On the right, a tall conifer frames the scene; in the middle ground, bright paths and dense shrubs give way to a fortified castle complex with towers, walls, and a gate. The composition combines close-up natural elements with distant architecture. Delicate, even lines, tight hatching, and clear contours render light and shadow. The viewer’s gaze is drawn from the bird across the open foreground to the castle. The caption refers to a fable and suggests a moralizing narrative structure. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Owl; Mice; Fable; Castle; Castle wall; Tree; Root system; Landscape; Book illustration; Printed graphic; Hatching; Depiction of animals; Architectural detail; Foreground; Middle ground; Background; Nature; Moral poetry; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.5 cm x 13.1 cm (7.7 x 5.2 in), Illustration: 13.1 cm x 8.2 cm (5.2 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 show minimal wear. There is some browning along the edges. A few faint mold stains are visible.