Fabel van de dorpelingen en de slang 1758

"Fabel van de dorpelingen en de slang" (The Fable of the Villagers and the Snake) is an etching by Johann Heinrich Meil the Elder, a German artist, from 1758. The engraving shows a scene from a fable, likely a portrayal of a moral tale with a warning against false friends. The imagery highlights a man striking a snake with a stick, emphasizing the danger of trusting the wrong individuals, a motif often used in fables. This small print, measuring just 142 mm in height and 81 mm in width, would have been intended for personal viewing or to be included in a larger collection of fables. The etching style, typical of the 18th century, is evident in the detailed lines and the use of shading to create depth and contrast. This artwork exemplifies Meil's mastery of etching and his ability to capture the essence of a story in a single visual moment.