653 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), The Rooster, the Cat, and the Mouse, 1767, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), The Rooster, the Cat, and the Mouse, 1767, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741 Amsterdam – 1816 ibid.): Rooster, Cat, and Mouse: The rooster, cat, and mouse set against a landscape of ruins, depicted as a fable scene, 1767, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: An absolutely superb, harmonious print with crisp lines and nuanced shades of gray. Inscription: Signed in the lower left of the printing plate: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” At the bottom of the printing plate: “LE COCHET, LE CHAT ET LE SOURICEAU Fable CVIII.” Date: 1767 Description: Within a rectangularly framed image, a rooster with ruffled plumage stands in the foreground on a path in front of ancient ruins. To the right, a cat crouches; to the left, a small mouse scurries. Behind the animals rise the remains of a wall, a tower-like structure, and dense undergrowth; in the distance, a mountain appears beneath a cloudy sky. The composition combines animal figures and landscape in a clear arrangement of depth. Delicate, even lines and dense hatching render the plumage, stone surfaces, and areas of shadow. The viewer’s gaze is drawn from the rooster at the center to the cat and mouse, creating a narrative tension reminiscent of a fable. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Rooster; Cat; Mouse; Fable; Animals; Ruins; Landscape; Path; Tower; Masonry; Bushes; Mountain; Sky; Vignette; Book illustration; Printed art; Hatching; Depiction of animals; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 20.9 cm x 13.4 cm (8.2 x 5.3 in), Illustration: 12.8 cm x 8.2 cm (5 x 3.2 in) Condition: In fairly good condition. The paper is noticeably discolored, with discoloration at the margins, irregularly trimmed edges, small tears, and missing sections along the outer edges, as well as general signs of aging. The top right-hand corner of the sheet is missing.