[De eerste oeconomische plaat. Een jongen ryken hollander] [graphic] = The first economic print. A rich young Dutchman.

[2nd state].

[Netherlands?] : [publisher not identified], [1780]

1 print : etching & engraving with stipple engraving ; sheet 26 x 39 cm

"A companion print to BMSat 5720. The "rich young Dutchman", who is the subject of the print, appears in it in two different situations. He sits (right) on his open money-chest, which is supported on four low wooden wheels, and filled with money-bags, holding a paper in his hand and pointing contemptuously to the right, where another Dutchman stands by a booth of Dutch wares. He pays no attention to an Englishman (right), "Meester John altyd op en te kort" (Master John always short of cash), who takes one of his money-bags and points with his left hand towards a temple falling to ruin in the distance. The Dutchman carelessly allows the money-chest to be dragged to the left by Folly in cap and bells, by a Frenchman, and by two richly dressed women, one of meretricious appearance with loose hair, the other with a haughty expression and hair dressed in an enormous pyramid. A third man, wearing a high toupet-wig, turns his back on the money-chest as he drinks from a large bottle. On the left of this group the "rich young Dutchman" appears again standing passively with a pleased expression while he is decked out in French garments: a little boy wearing a bag-wig hands him a high toupet-wig with a long queue, a man helps him to put on a coat, and on the left a Frenchman bows low before him holding a feathered hat. Another Frenchman standing behind holds out a sword. Behind this group is a booth of English goods with a placard: "Engelsche kraam", in front of it is a draped platform on which stand the English salesman (left) and his assistant (right), the latter dressed like the zany who accompanied mountebanks and quack-doctors. The salesman holds out a roll of figured material and points to the right; he appears to be addressing the spectators. His assistant hands a pile of crockery to a man (right) who holds out his hands to receive it. The shelves of the booth are stacked with crockery, &c, while textiles hang from projecting poles. On the extreme left is a solid and lofty stone gateway or triumphal arch. Over the arch is carved a fool's head, with cap and bells; festoons of bells from the cap decorate the façade. Four men, partly visible, blow trumpets and horns from the summit of the arch. In the foreground (left) a stall or booth of French wares is partly visible in front of the arch. Its penthouse roof has a placard inscribed "Modes de Paris". Elaborately trimmed hats and ribbons hang from a cord. Beneath it, beside a chest, stands a man dressed in the French manner holding out his hands persuasively towards the "rich young Dutchman" as if to recommend his wares. He appears from the explanation to be Charles III of Spain (allied to France by the Family Compact). At his feet is a pile of feathered hats, &c, and a monkey who holds out a feathered hat towards the Dutchman. Through the archway is seen a formal garden with clipped hedges and a fountain in the distance. In alcoves in the hedges two couples are making love. Two men are fighting with swords. At two tables parties of men and women dressed in the French fashion are feasting. A couple advance towards the tables through the archway. These figures are on a minute scale. In the foreground on the extreme right, a pendant to the "Modes de Paris", is a Dutch booth with a placard inscribed "Hollandsche Waaren". By it stands the plainly dressed Dutch salesman at whom the "rich young Dutchman" with the money-chest is pointing disdainfully. His wares are all solid and plain: corded bales, rolls of textiles, a pile of plain round hats. Under the roof of the booth stands an enormous chest; stockings, gloves, and garments hang from a line. In the distance (right) is the sea, two ships in full sail are fighting. On the shore is a circular temple (the temple of the state), its roof supported by tottering pillars which a crowd of men on a minute scale are pulling down (? or shoring up)."--British Museum online catalogue.

Dutch

October 15, 2004

Catalogue of prints and drawings in the British Museum. Division I, political and personal satires , v. 5, no. 5717