666 - R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Rocky Landscape with a Crab, 1779, Etching

R. VINKELES (1741–1816), Rocky Landscape with a Crab, 1779, Etching Reinier Vinkeles (1741, Amsterdam – 1816, ibid.): Rocky Landscape with a Crayfish; Rocky Landscape with a Footbridge and a Crayfish, from “L’Ecrevisse et sa fille,” 1779, etching Technique: Etching on paper Print Quality: Clear lines with a beautiful, deep black tone. Inscription: Signed in the printing plate at the lower left: “Vinkeles, del. et sculp.” At the lower part, inscribed in the printing plate: “L’ECREVISSE ET SA FILLE. Fable CCXXIII.” Date: 1779 Description: A tall, rectangular print depicts an idealized rocky landscape with waterfalls and a narrow, rope-like footbridge suspended between two cliffs. On the rock on the left stand small architectural forms, including tower-like structures, surrounded by scrub. In the foreground lies a shallow stretch of water dotted with stones; in the center is a crab, serving as a narrative reference to the caption. The sky is rendered with delicate horizontal lines and light cloud formations. Hatching is used to give the rocks, water, and vegetation a nuanced texture. The composition is clearly divided into foreground, middle ground, and background, combining the expansiveness of the landscape with an emblematic focus on the animal motif. Source: Jean de la Fontaine (1621–1695) *Fables choisies*, 1802 | Book, Mythology, Genre, Fashion Keywords: Landscape; Rock; Waterfall; Footbridge; Bridge; Crab; River; Mountains; Architecture; Tower; Vegetation; staffage; Book illustration; Fable; engraving; hatching; Riverbank; Clouds; Vignette; Title cartouche; 18th century; Classicism; Genre; France; Size: Paper: 20.8 cm x 13.5 cm (8.2 x 5.3 in), Image: 13.1 cm x 8.4 cm (5.2 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 along the side of the page edge. The corners of the sheet are slightly bumped. Slight browning along the edges. A few faint mold stains are visible. Slightly creased along the left margin of the sheet. The bottom left corner of the sheet is missing.