Antique print The five senses

Title: The five senses represented as fine couples climbing and coming down an architectural flight of steps


AFBEELDINGHE der Vyf Siennen.
Description: (Amsterdam), Huijch Allert, (ca. 1690). Catchpenny print. Oblong folio. Engraved plate emblematically depicting the 5 senses by means of 5 richly clad couples standing on the ascending and decending steps of an architectural gate, two going up, one at the top, and two going down, representing "seeing" accompanied by an owl and a hawk, "taste" accompanied by a monkey and grapes, "feeling" accompanied by a crocodile and a turtle, "hearing" accompanied by deer and a drum, and "smelling" accompanied by dogs; with in the arches underneath the allegorical figures of faith, love and hope, and with the title and two ornamental cartouches at the top, and explanatory verse in 5 columns underneath, the whole most richly and beautifully coloured by hand.

Rare and beautiful children's print on the five senses, here emblematically represented as fine couples climbing and coming down an architectural flight of steps, no doubt inspired by the old popular prints of the "Steps of Age", also showing people going up and down steps. The text in the two cartouches reads: "Den mens Vyf Sinnen noodich syn, Te scheyden t' goet van het fenyn" (Men need five senses to distinguish between good and bad), and: "Gebruijck u sinne tot Goodt, die anders doet Raect tot oneer" (Use your senses to the honour of God, otherwise one becomes dishonourable). The motto underneath reads: "Vijf Sinne heeft den mens, na wens, en tot Vermaec, t' gesicht, t' ghehoor, t' ghevoel, en Reuck en ooc dee Smaec, te ghebruijcken tot Goodts eer en mens baat". And five verses underneath praise each sense respectively. The couples on the steps are beautifully dressed after the fashion of the rich bourgeoisie of the 17th century. They hold flowers, a mirror, a bird , a flag, etc. The whole print is very beautifully coloured by hand.

Good copy.- (Professionally restored).
Atlas van Stolk 2004; cf. De Meyer p. 455 (similar print published by R. & J. Ottens); Van der Waals, 135.