Emblemata of Zinne-werck
The Emblemata of Zinne-werck is a 17th‑century Dutch emblem book with poetry and prose by Johan de Brune and engravings by Adriaen van de Venne. It first appeared in Amsterdam in 1624, published by Jan Evertsen Cloppenburgh, and was printed in Middelburg by Hans van der Hellen. The book was relatively expensive, produced in quarto format with copper engravings. A second edition in 1636 used the unsold remnants of the first edition (about 1,000 copies) with small changes.
The book contains 51 entries. Each entry begins with a one‑ or two‑line caption stating the moral, followed by an engraving and a rhyming epigram in couplets. This is followed by a prose explanation that can run up to about 12 pages. Brune’s inclusion of lengthy prose suggests he doubted the sufficiency of images alone: he thought images could be ambiguous while text offered clearer meaning. This stance reflects attitudes in the Dutch Reformed Church at the time and shows a blend of traditions about secular imagery and moralizing writing common in the Dutch Golden Age. Because readers and contexts differ, the same image can be interpreted in different ways.
The interpretations of individual emblems vary. Here are notes on a few:
- 3, Vanitas: the image substitutes vanity with a scene of a well‑to‑do woman holding a child whose diaper is being wiped, with no direct vanity symbol shown.
- 7: a large cheese cut in half, covered with maggots. The motto is Al te scherp maeckt schaerdigh, “too much sharpness will maim.” The epigram discusses how the finest things often have flaws. The image does not show sharpening; understanding the cheese involves context about coagulation and beliefs that maggots can arise spontaneously, making the cheese both food and a sign of corruption.
- 19: a pretzel being tugged from both sides by hands from the clouds, symbolizing the soul pulled by God and the devil. The pretzel image appears in other period works and can carry different meanings in different contexts.
- 42: a man seeking shelter from the rain under a tree, illustrating that life’s storms are temporary and survivable if one stands firm. The epigram says shelter comes from the Prince.
In sum, Emblemata of Zinne-werck blends text and image to convey moral lessons, while inviting varied readings depending on audience and context.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:58 (CET).