Karel Dujardin (Dutch, c. 1626–1678) - The Two Mules

Name: Karel Dujardin (Dutch, c. 1626–1678) - The Two Mules
Brand: wh91
Availability: LimitedAvailability

An original 17th-century etching by Karel Dujardin, 'The Two Mules' (1659), showing a pastoral landscape with ruins. On paper with visible aging. - view 1

1/3

Uncommon (5/10)

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QUICK FACTS

DESCRIPTION

An original 17th-century etching by the Dutch Golden Age artist Karel Dujardin. The print depicts an Italianate landscape with two mules in the foreground, attended by a figure. In the background are classical ruins under a mountainous landscape. The work is signed "K. DV. IARDIN", marked "fec." (fecit, meaning "he made it"), and dated "1659" within the plate in the lower left corner. A later collector's annotation in pencil below the print reads "Landscape with ruins. / D. 11. ii", which identifies this as the 11th entry, second state, in the Dutuit catalogue raisonné of the artist's work.

CULTURAL ECHOES

Where This Object Echoes

Italian Baroquec. 1630-1682

Dujardin's work mirrors the idealized pastoral landscapes of Italian artist Claude Lorrain, who also worked in Rome and perfected the genre of the classical landscape.

The Grand Tourc. 1660-1840

These kinds of idyllic scenes of Italy were highly sought after by wealthy Northern Europeans, prefiguring the 'Grand Tour' of the 18th century where young aristocrats traveled to Italy to absorb classical culture.

Ritual & Ceremonial Use

•Collecting Old Master prints was a scholarly and gentlemanly pursuit in the 17th-19th centuries. Collectors would fastidiously organize their holdings in albums, often making notations like the one seen here to identify and catalogue each piece.

Meaning Through Time

17th Century

Symbolized a sophisticated, international taste, blending Dutch realism with the classical ideals of Italy.

19th Century Romanticism

Viewed as a nostalgic vision of a lost golden age, with classical ruins representing the sublime and beautiful decay of great empires.

21st Century

Valued as an authentic historical artifact and a relatively accessible entry point for collecting Dutch Golden Age art.

HISTORICAL STORY

Created in 1659, this etching is a prime example of the Dutch Italianate style. Artists like Dujardin traveled from the Netherlands to Italy, incorporating the country's classical landscapes, warm light, and pastoral themes into their work. This piece blends the Dutch tradition of detailed genre ...

DID YOU KNOW?

The 'fec.' in the signature is short for the Latin word 'fecit,' meaning 'he made it'—a common way for artists of the era to sign plates they personally etched.

Dujardin was part of a group known as the 'Bentvueghels' (Dutch for 'Birds of a Feather'), a society of Dutch and Flemish artists in Rome notorious for their bohemian, anti-academic rituals.

MATERIAL & CONDITION

Surface

Matte surface on laid paper, showing a clear intaglio impression with a visible plate mark. The paper has overall age-related toning and scattered light brown spots known as foxing.

Weight & Feel

Negligible. A single sheet of paper, mounted on a lightweight board.

Condition

The print impression is strong and clear. The paper is uniformly toned with age and shows several spots of foxing, primarily in the sky area and margins. The sheet appears to be trimmed near or just inside the platemark.

RARITY ANALYSIS

Uncommon70-80%

CommonLegendary

Genuine antiques with fewer examples on the market. Named makers, documented provenance, or early production examples.

Typical Characteristics

Limited production
Named makers
Growing collector demand

ESTIMATED VALUE

$400 - $900

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Market comparables from auctions & retail
Condition, completeness & craftsmanship
Current collector demand & trends
Low = quick sale, High = patient seller

For informational purposes only—not a formal appraisal.

CONTEXT ANALYSIS

How your provided context compares with Curiosa.com scanner findings.

What Aligned

User's attribution to 'Karel dujardin' is confirmed by the signature 'K. DV. IARDIN' clearly visible in the plate.
User's belief that the item is 'Original/Authentic' is strongly supported by the style, materials, and the corroborating catalogue raisonné number noted on the mount.

What Conflicted

User's description of the condition as 'Mint' conflicts with the visible evidence of age toning and foxing (small brown spots) on the paper, which would be professionally classified as 'Good' or 'Very Good for age'.