631 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), *The Donkey and His Masters*, 1769, etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), *The Donkey and His Masters*, 1769, etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741, Amsterdam – 1816, ibid.): The Donkey and His Masters The Donkey and His Masters, a scene from a fable featuring a kneeling peasant woman in front of a thatched cottage, 1769, 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: “L’ANE ET SES MAITRES. Fable CXIV.” Date: 1769 Description: A rural scene depicts, on the right in front of a thatched house, a kneeling peasant woman arranging or tying vegetables on the ground. Standing beside her is a donkey with a carrying basket and bundles loaded upon it; its head is raised slightly. On the left and in the background, trees and bushes fill the space, above which is a dynamic sky featuring a bright disc of moonlight or light. The composition clearly distinguishes between the foreground, middle ground, and background. Delicate hatching gives form to the roof, wall, vegetation, and the animal’s body. The relationship between figure and ground is balanced; the narrative structure, as indicated by the caption, suggests a moralizing fable. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Donkey; Farmwoman; Farmhouse; Thatched roof; Vegetables; Basket; Fable; rural scene; night scene; trees; path; house wall; depiction of work; book illustration; engraving; hatching; caption; moral lesson; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 19.5 cm x 13.1 cm (7.7 x 5.2 in), Illustration: 12.7 cm x 8.2 cm (5 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.