1645
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Men in Masquerade Costumes: A Cannon Firing and a Cat Inside a Mousetrap is a 1645 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows two strange figures in quick, loose lines. One wears a hat and holds a cannon that’s firing, while the other is tangled in a net with a cat inside a mousetrap. The paper looks rough, and the ink is light brown, almost fading. The drawing feels like a joke or a riddle—maybe a way to play with ideas instead of showing real life. The artist used quick, sketchy strokes to make it feel alive and a little chaotic. If you like odd, playful art, check out Baroque for more examples of this wild style.
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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