Le Cordelier devenu Eveque - Jacob Gole

A satirical mezzotint by Jacob Gole depicting a corrupt monk, using the hunting horn and fox as symbols of his worldly greed.

This mezzotint by the Dutch engraver Jacob Gole, titled 'Le Cordelier devenu Eveque', is a satirical work typical of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. The print depicts a monk wearing a mitre, an item of ecclesiastical headgear usually reserved for bishops. The figure is shown blowing into a hunting horn, a visual metaphor for his preference for worldly pursuits over spiritual duties. A small fox is visible on his shoulder, further reinforcing the theme of the wolf in sheep's clothing.

The text below the image provides a biting critique of the subject, stating that the monk prefers the hunt to the care of the church. He identifies himself as a wolf rather than a shepherd, admitting to preying upon his flock to satisfy his own gluttony. The inclusion of the phrase 'la Metamorphose' on the pendant hanging from his neck suggests a transformation from a humble friar into a corrupt, power-seeking figure.

Jacob Gole was a master of the mezzotint technique, a process that allows for subtle gradations of tone and soft transitions between light and shadow. This medium is particularly effective here, as it creates a velvety texture that defines the monk's heavy features and the intricate details of his vestments. The circular composition focuses the viewer's attention on the subject's expression, which conveys a sense of smug satisfaction. This print is an example of the moralising satire that was popular in the Netherlands during this period, often used to comment on the perceived hypocrisy within religious institutions. The work remains a sharp observation of human folly, captured through the technical precision of the mezzotint process.