70 Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (1589–1662) – Death and the Old Scholar – Etching from Alle de Wercken by Jacob Cats (17th Century)
This finely detailed etching by Adriaen van de Venne illustrates the theme of mortality through an allegorical scene titled ’t Samenspraek tuschen de Dood en een Oud Man (“Dialogue between Death and an Old Man”), taken from the moralistic writings of Dutch poet and statesman Jacob Cats. In the composition, Death, portrayed as a skeletal figure with a scythe, interrupts an elderly scholar deep in his studies. The scholar recoils in surprise, surrounded by books, globes, and writing tools, symbols of earthly wisdom and human endeavor rendered powerless before the inevitability of death.
The work is a classic example of Dutch emblematic art from the early 17th century, combining image, moral verse, and printed text to convey didactic messages about virtue, humility, and the transience of life. Van de Venne’s precise linework and theatrical staging complement Cats’ poetic reflections, making the Alle de Wercken one of the most influential illustrated books of the Dutch Golden Age.
Artist or Maker:
Adriaen Pietersz van de Venne (etcher), after Jacob Cats
Dimensions:
18 cm x 13 cm
Medium:
Etching on laid paper
Date:
17th Century
Condition Report:
This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report.
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