Maid with a Mousetrap
1704
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
About the artist
1704
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Maid with a Mousetrap is a 1704 ink by Nicolaas Verkolje, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows a woman and a child peering into a shallow bowl. The woman holds a small box with a mouse inside—it looks like a trap. The room is dimly lit, with heavy curtains framing them like a stage. A candle sits nearby, casting shadows on the table. The mouse trap might hint at a trick or a lesson, since this is an allegory. The artist used shading to make the scene feel real and dramatic. Next, look up chiaroscuro to see how light and dark create depth in art.
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