Cunning Collection

Sixth Column Strategy
Stout patriots dislodge an enemy machine gun post from the dome of St. Pauls using the usual Heath Robinson cunning! Please note

The Laughing Cavalier, 1624, (c1915). Artist: Frans Hals
The Laughing Cavalier, 1624, (c1915). The painting is part of the Wallace Collection, London. From International Art: Past and Present by Alfred Yockney. [Virtue & Company, London, c1915]

The Fox and the Crow
The cunning fox is able to trick the crow into dropping the cheese from her beak by implying that she cannot sing

Press photographer with hidden camera in his hat
A rather shifty looking press photographer cunningly conceals a camera behind his hat with the lens poking through a convenient hole. Date: 1914

WW1 - German anti-British propaganda postcard - Caught and Trapped - a duplicitous British Army Officer is captured by the forces of the Central Powers trying to smuggle a machine gun to his men

Puss in Boots presents a rabbit from his Master to the King
Puss in Boots presents a gift of a rabbit from his Master to the King. Illustration to a fairytale by Charles Perrault, first published 1697

Front cover of 'The Adventures of Master Renard' by G. Le Cordier, c.1900 (colour litho)
CHT164069 Front cover of 'The Adventures of Master Renard' by G. Le Cordier, c.1900 (colour litho) by Pinchon, Joseph Porphyre (1871-1953); Bibliotheque des Arts Decoratifs, Paris

The Actor Bando Hikosaburo III as Kitsugi Magoemon and the rest place Inamura... published in 1852
The Actor Bando Hikosaburo III as Kitsugi Magoemon and the rest place Inamura between Yoshida and Goyu, published in 1852. Series: Tokaido Intermediate Stations

Portrait of Alid van der Laen (1542-1626), after 1653. Creator: Unknown
Portrait of Alid van der Laen (1542-1626), after 1653. Copy after Michiel Jansz van Mierevelt

The painter Wilhelm List, 1892. Creator: Gyorgy Vastagh
The painter Wilhelm List, 1892

Portrait of a Man, presumably a member of the Medici Family, 1518-1572. Creator: Agnolo Bronzino
Portrait of a Man, presumably a member of the Medici Family, 1518-1572

Police Surgeon Johan Frederik Rost. The Artist's Family Doctor and Friend, 1831. Creator: CW Eckersberg
Police Surgeon Johan Frederik Rost. The Artist's Family Doctor and Friend, 1831

Lighthouse List East on the Ellenbogen Peninsula, Sylt, Schleswig-Holstein, Germany

HASTINGS TRICK
The cunning Norsemen use all kind of subterfuges in their invasion of France : their leader Hastings feigns death to gain entry into a besieged city. (Doubtless a legend !) Date: circa 880

Fable English Fox Myth Fables La Fontaine Circa
fable, english, fox, myth, fables, la, fontaine, circa, 1870, cunning, hunted, men, dogs, hides, dead, foxes, birds, gallows, pass, unnoticed, night, death, animals, hunting, %unrestricted, the,

When the bear heard the music he could not help beginning to dance. Illustration by Arthur Rackham from Grimm's
492390 When the bear heard the music he could not help beginning to dance. Illustration by Arthur Rackham from Grimm's Fairy Tale, The Cunning Little Tailor

DDE-90028286
Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) in snow in winter, Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028285
Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) in snow in winter, Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028278
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in snow in winter, Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028277
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in snow in winter, Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028276
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in snow in winter, Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028274
Two Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) in snow Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028273
Two Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) in snow Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028266
Arctic Fox (Alopex lagopus) in snow Churchill Wildlife Management Area, Churchill, MB Canada Date: 25/06/2010

DDE-90028249
Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) in winter Churchill Wildlife Management Area Churchill, MB Date: 25/06/2010

Mawnin says Brer Rabbit (colour litho) Brer Rabbit (gouache on paper)
IL335176 Mawnin says Brer Rabbit (colour litho) Brer Rabbit (gouache on paper) by Rountree, Harry (Herbert R.) (1878-1950); Private Collection; (add.info)

Ruse de renard. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1906 (colour litho)
3101444 Ruse de renard. Illustration for Le Pele-Mele, 1906 (colour litho) by Rabier, Benjamin (1869-1939); Private Collection; (add.info.: Ruse de renard)

Bertrand du Guesclin surprises the English (colour litho)
3622094 Bertrand du Guesclin surprises the English (colour litho) by Beuzon, Joseph (1864-1940); Private Collection; (add.info.: Bertrand du Guesclin surprises the English)

Sly Reynards Excursion (colour litho)
5208337 Sly Reynards Excursion (colour litho) by Rountree, Harry (Herbert R.) (1878-1950); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sly Reynards Excursion)

Lloyd George reflecting on election tactics for the Coalition Government in the light of the success of Anti-Waste
KDC397328 Lloyd George reflecting on election tactics for the Coalition Government in the light of the success of Anti-Waste candidates in by-elections, 1921 (litho) by Partridge

Hera has sent us a pilot; let us follow the cunning bird (colour litho)
STC445072 Hera has sent us a pilot; let us follow the cunning bird (colour litho) by Davie, Howard (fl.1914-44); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration from How the Argonauts sailed to Colchis)

Infantry firing at a cavalryman from behind, German humorous military postcard (colour litho)
6031200 Infantry firing at a cavalryman from behind, German humorous military postcard (colour litho) by Schonpflug, Fritz (1873-1951); Private Collection; (add.info)

Fables of La Fontaine: The cunning fox (litho)
6002180 Fables of La Fontaine: The cunning fox (litho) by Billinghurst, Percy James (1871-1933); Private Collection; (add.info.: The cunning fox)

He Perceived the Train of Patient Mules, illustration for The Fox and His Foolish Fear from Animal Legends from Many
IL127252 He Perceived the Train of Patient Mules, illustration for The Fox and His Foolish Fear from Animal Legends from Many Lands, published by Raphael Tuck & Sons Ltd

Message Found in a Bottle, 1918 (pencil, pen and black ink, on vellum)
1199587 Message Found in a Bottle, 1918 (pencil, pen and black ink, on vellum) by Clarke, Harry (1889-1931); 21x15.8 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; Irish, out of copyright

A fete champetre of foxes and swans (oil on canvas)
2637097 A fete champetre of foxes and swans (oil on canvas) by Kessel, Jan van, the Elder (1626-79); 165x217 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Landscape with animal satire)

Clever mouse avoiding a mousetrap (colour litho)
5996105 Clever mouse avoiding a mousetrap (colour litho) by English School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Clever mouse avoiding a mousetrap)

The Bear Trap (coloured engraving)
979179 The Bear Trap (coloured engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Bear Trap.); © Look and Learn

The Sly Jockel and the Large Cockerel (coloured engraving)
979146 The Sly Jockel and the Large Cockerel (coloured engraving) by German School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Sly Jockel and the Large Cockerel.); © Look and Learn

The Monkey and the Cat, 1868 (engraving)
PER465716 The Monkey and the Cat, 1868 (engraving) by Dore, Gustave (1832-83); Private Collection; (add.info.: Le Singe et le Chat; Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95)); French, out of copyright

The Guile of Oroetes, c. 1940s (litho)
IL439468 The Guile of Oroetes, c.1940s (litho) by Valda, John Harris (d.1941); Private Collection; (add.info.: Illustration from Newnes Pictorial Knowledge, depicting the trickery of Oroetes)

An ingenious poacher (colour litho)
2807681 An ingenious poacher (colour litho) by French School, (20th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: An ingenious poacher)

Puppet couple (b / w photo)
3096097 Puppet couple (b/w photo) by German Photographer (20th Century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Puppet couple. Postcard, early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Pallinghurst Barrow, by Grant Allen (litho)
1603861 Pallinghurst Barrow, by Grant Allen (litho) by Forestier, Amedee (1854-1930) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Pallinghurst Barrow, by Grant Allen)

The Cockerel and the Fox, illustration after the fable by Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95) c
CHT164071 The Cockerel and the Fox, illustration after the fable by Jean de la Fontaine (1621-95) c.1860-80 (coloured engraving) by French School

Vautrin, illustration from Le Pere Goriot by Honore de Balzac (1799-1850
CHT207677 Vautrin, illustration from Le Pere Goriot by Honore de Balzac (1799-1850) (engraving) (b/w photo) by Daumier, Honore (1808-79) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

The Pact with the Devil, mid 19th century (wood)
CHT173725 The Pact with the Devil, mid 19th century (wood) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; eArchives Charmet; French, out of copyright

Esau and Jacob, 1640s
BOO73427 Esau and Jacob, 1640s by Stomer, (Stom) Matthias (c.1600-p.1650); 118x164 cm; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia; Dutch, out of copyright

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Cunning: The Art of Deception and Strategy" In the world of art, history, and literature, it has always played a captivating role. From the enigmatic smile of "The Laughing Cavalier" to the deceptive charm of Puss in Boots presenting a rabbit to the King, cunning knows no bounds. Throughout time, it has been employed as a powerful tool in various contexts. Just like the Trojan Horse that concealed an army within its wooden walls or the Sixth Column Strategy used during warfare tactics, it reminds us that appearances can be deceiving. Fables and myths have also embraced cunning as a central theme. The English Fox from La Fontaine's tales or the clever fox outsmarting the wolf in their timeless story remind us that wit can triumph over strength. Even during times of conflict like World War I, propaganda postcards depicted German anti-British sentiments through sly imagery such as "Keep your mouth shut. " These subtle messages aimed to manipulate public opinion through hidden meanings. Cunning is not limited to art alone; it permeates our daily lives too. A press photographer with a hidden camera in his hat captures moments unbeknownst to others while maintaining an air of secrecy. Whether it's outwitting adversaries or capturing candid moments without detection, cunning continues to fascinate us. It serves as a reminder that intelligence coupled with strategy can lead one down unexpected paths and achieve remarkable outcomes. So let us embrace this age-old trait with caution and curiosity for there is much we can learn from those who possess true cunningness – they hold secrets waiting to be unraveled by those willing enough to see beyond what meets the eye.