Karel Dujardin’s etching, “Mule with a Bell”, 1653

Karel Dujardin (aka Carel Dujardin; Carel du Jardin; Karel Du Jardin; Bokkebaart) (1626 –78)

“Mule with a Bell” (“Le Mulet aux Clochettes”) (TIB title); “Mule with bell on halter and two lying donkeys” (Rijksmuseum title), 1653

Size: (sheet) 20.7 x 17.4 cm; (plate) 20.3 x 16.7 cm; (outer borderline) 19.8 x 16.3 cm;

(image borderline) 19.5 x 16.3 cm

Etching on laid paper with small margins backed on a support sheet.

Inscribed on plate below the image borderline: (left of centre) "K. DV. IARDIN.1653 fe"; (right corner) “29”.

State ii (of iii)

Bartsch 1.182.29; Hollstein 29.II

The British Museum offers the following description of this print in its second state:

“The hinny with the little bell. Landscape with a mule standing at centre, in profile to right, wearing a halter from which two bells hang, two other asses resting in right background, trees enclosed within a straw fence beyond; second state with number. 1653” (http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/collection_online/collection_object_details.aspx?objectId=1617819&partId=1&searchText=dujardin+bell&page=1)

See also the Rijksmuseum’s description of their second state impression: http://hdl.handle.net/10934/RM0001.COLLECT.38342

Condition: crisp and well-inked impression showing little or no wear to the plate suggesting that this is an early impression. (Note: compare this strong impression with the copy held by the BM [S.878]). The sheet is in near faultless condition for its age (i.e. there are no tears, folds, holes, abrasions, stains or foxing). The sheet is backed with a support sheet of archival (millennium quality) washi paper.

I am selling this exceptionally well-preserved and superb impression from an unworn plate by one of the most famous of the Golden Age Dutch artists for the total cost of AU$246 (currently US$184.68/EUR156.70/GBP136.92 at the time of posting this print) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing this remarkable print showcasing Dujardin’s skill in representing light, space and subtle differences of texture, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.

This print has been sold

Dujardin is famous for his “warts and all” representations of rural life—sheep and cows pissing and pooping accompanied by flies—he is also remembered as a true master of suggesting light, space and mimetic treatments of a full range of textures. For example, note how Dujardin describes the contours of the mule in the foreground (actually a hinny rather than a mule) using only line while simultaneously expressing the surface textures of the mule’s hair. Note also how Dujardin’s treatment of the foreground mule is quite different from his rendering of the mules further back and how well he suggests the spatial distance separating them. Such skill is rare and is the hallmark of great artist.