Title inscribed in frame above image., Publication date from book in which this plate was published., Sheet trimmed to plate mark., Inscription in French on oval ribbon framing the image: Sa mathematique est l'epreuve. Sort, tu nous es dubieux au bout ..., Six lines of verse in Dutch below image: Ik speel voor man en wyf, als onbestuve weew ..., Plate 17 from: Het groote tafereel der dwaasheid ... , v. 2., and Mounted to 43 x 27 cm., mounted again to 47 x 31 cm.
"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen...", and Sheet trimmed within plate mark.
"A curiously carved chest, or seat, representing "The English Bank of Exchange" (Wisselbank) is suspended like a pair of scales by chains from the horn of a unicorn whose head emerges from clouds. It tilts down on the right, where a stout Englishman, "an English lord", sits precariously, exclaiming in alarm as a Frenchman (right), standing on the ground beneath, pulls him by the leg. The Frenchman's right hand is on the hilt of his sword. The balance is further depressed by America, a naked child crowned with feathers, who is seated on the "Bank" beside the Englishman and holding his arm, admonishing him with an upraised finger. A Spaniard holding a crutch crouches on the ground beside the Frenchman. A "Dutch skipper" (left) holds one leg of the "Bank" to prevent its being dragged down by France. He turns to speak to a "merchant of Amsterdam" seated on a chest and writing in a ledger. Round the chest are "sacks of gold", bales of goods, cheeses (one stamped with crossed keys), and rolls of textiles. In the background (centre) is a Dutch landscape; a group of six windmills flying a flag with three stripes, and four cows, two of which are being milked. Beneath the design, verses are engraved in two columns, English (left) and Dutch (right)."--British Museum catalogue
Alternative Title:
Europe in her present disordered state
Description:
Titles from British Museum catalogue., Publication date from British Museum catalogue., Trimmed within plate line; damage with loss of design in lower right corner., and Verses beneath image in English and Dutch: "Bold Jack! pray, what's the business to-day? ..." and "Hoezee! tienduizendmaal! van dikhuot zaagt men deelen ..."
Title, place of publication, and date from British Museum catalogue., Sheet trimmed within plate mark and partially colored., and Beneath image in lower left: No. 2.