Art, literature & historyThe Mousetrap
c. 1655
- Dating
- Approximate date range
- Held at
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Medium
- Engraving on ivory laid paper
- Dimensions
- Sheet: 14 × 19.7 cm (5 9/16 × 7 13/16 in.)
- Collection no.
- 1923.995
- Attribution
- By the artist
Collection: Art Institute of Chicago
About this artwork
The Mousetrap — Cornelis Visscher. c. 1655.
Medium: Engraving on ivory laid paper. Dimensions: Sheet: 14 × 19.7 cm (5 9/16 × 7 13/16 in.).
Collection record: Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago. Museum connection according to this source; current display unverified.
Despite his brief lifespan, Cornelis Visscher gained notoriety in 17th-century Holland for his accomplished portraits and unusual depictions of Dutch peasant life. Though many of the latter were derived from paintings, The Mousetrap appears to be Visscher’s original design. In this closely cropped scene, he depicted a couple moments after they have successfully captured an unwelcome critter. The lit candle held by the man illuminates their triumphant expressions as well as the trap’s effectiveness, emphasizing the picture’s contrast.
Description: © Art Institute of Chicago, original record, CC BY 4.0. HTML formatting removed; wording retained. Other artwork metadata: CC0.
Source: official collection record. Metadata selected and normalized by Artline from the source export, accessed 10 September 2026; no museum endorsement. Reproduction rights are separate.
Location checked Sep 10, 2026. This does not indicate whether the work is on display.