613 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), The Old Man and Three Young Men, 1778, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), The Old Man and Three Young Men, 1778, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741, Amsterdam – 1816, ibid.): The Old Man and Three Young Men The Old Man and the Three Young Men, illustration for Fable CCXII, 1778, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print with crisp lines and nuanced shades of gray. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” At the bottom of the printing plate: “LE VIEILLARD ET LES TROIS JEUNES HOMMES. Fable CCXII.” Date: 1778 Description: Within a framed picture area, an old man is kneeling on the ground in the foreground on the left, holding a bundle of twigs in both hands. On the right, three young men stand in short, contemporary clothing; their bodies and gazes are turned toward the old man. Behind them, a house, trees, and a larger building recede into the distance. A mighty tree frames the scene on the right. Delicate lines and dense hatching give form to the figures, the ground, and the foliage; the sky remains lighter in tone. The composition combines a rural idyll with a didactic narrative and, through the French caption, explicitly refers to a scene from a fable. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: old man; three young men; fable; bundle of twigs; rural scene; tree; house; landscape; moral lesson; figural hierarchy; hatching; book illustration; French title; moral teaching; foreground action; 18th century; etching; engraving; vignette; narrative picture; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.5 cm x 12.9 cm (7.7 x 5.1 in), Image: 12.9 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.