Book Title: Spiegel van het menselyk bedrijf : in kleuren vertoond met honderd verbeeldingen, van ambachten, konsten, hanteeringen en bedryven, met verzen / Jan en Kasper Luiken.

Author: Luiken, Jan, 1649-1712

Image Title: The Silversmith: However noble the material, Still much too coarse

Scripture Reference:

• Proverbs 17 (further images / scripture text)

Description: The silversmith pours silver, which was melted in the burning forge, into a mold that is clamped on both sides by metal bindings. An apprentice uses the bellows to increase the heat of the forge. A second silversmith hammers a silver object on an anvil. The Dutch artist and poet, Jan Luiken (1649-1712), was responsible for drawing this emblem and for creating the motto and poem that follow. Jan Luiken and/or his son Casper Luiken (1672-1708) were responsible for its etching. The attendant scripture text is Proverbs 17:3. Motto: However noble the material, / Still much too coarse. Poem: White silver, too much beloved /By the heart that is earthly minded, /Thou couldst not satisfy the hunger /Of the discerning and smart soul, /Whose desire fell upon thy source, /So as to heap riches upon itself. (Translation by Josephine V. Brown, with editorial assistance from William G. Stryker).

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