Bouchet - [REINEKE] Von den losen Füchsen dieser Welt - 1606

Absolute rarity!

Reineke, satire, heresy, fable


Reineke the Fox - Fable

Of the loose foxes of this world.
Like all sinful vices / recognized across all social classes of people / through strange figures and gestures depicted.
1606


Magnificently embossed parchment binding of the era. Golden decorated, deep-red spine label with the title.
243 pages. Stamped title + 10 illustrations.


The book 'Von den losen Füchsen dieser Welt' from 1606 is a satirical animal epic derived from the famous story of Reineke Fuchs, the cunning and amoral fox known for his deceptions and trickery. In a time when witchcraft, heresy, and occult themes held a prominent place in popular culture and people's thinking, the work reflects typical motifs such as societal and religious upheaval, also allegorically referencing 'dragons' and other fantastic or demonic beings. Such symbols often represent evil, the supernatural, or subversive forces amid changing times.

The work uses the figure of Reineke to satirically allude to the peculiarities and 'devilish' dealings of society at the beginning of the modern era. Behind the cunning deeds of the fox lie comments on the contemporary fear of witchcraft and heresy, with the clever fox itself becoming a symbol of deception, trickery, but also survival skills in a threatening world. Thus, the book, in a fable language typical of the time, conveys hidden criticism of authoritative superstitions, ecclesiastical power, and social hypocrisy. The text reflects the ambivalence between fascination with the occult and fears of the unknown, with Reineke standing as a representative for the loose, clever foxes—and thus also for heresy and witchcraft.


Please note my photos, these are an essential part of the description.