Schoorsteenval met het familiewapen Spiegel (fragment) c. 1624 - 1644

Editor: We're looking at a section of a chimney valance here. It's called "Schoorsteenval met het familiewapen Spiegel," made between 1624 and 1644 by Tobias Schaep, using oil paint. The dark background really makes the elements pop! I'm initially struck by the strangeness of it. A mouse, a family crest, and a cat…what's going on? What do you make of it? Curator: You know, when I first saw this, I couldn't help but wonder about Tobias Schaep's sense of humor. This isn't your typical Baroque portrait, is it? It's like he’s winking at us from across the centuries. The high contrast, almost theatrical lighting reminds me of candlelight casting shadows on a dark, wood-paneled room. Think of the symbols – the family crest front and centre…power, lineage. But then, those creatures – that clever juxtaposition of a sleepy cat with its would-be snack, like they’re performing in a miniature play! Perhaps he was gently mocking the family's pretensions to grandeur? What do you think, did the artist intend on a comical piece or was he making some serious statement? Editor: That's a fun idea! The contrast is certainly playful and invites speculation! I was just so focused on the cat and mouse; it makes perfect sense that the animals have to be related to the owner's crest. Curator: Absolutely. I suspect Schaep had a playful and poignant perspective. By embracing these dualities—power and humor, grandeur and humility—he reveals the rich complexity of life itself. Food for thought! Editor: Thanks for that insightful analysis! I now feel as though I better understand Schaep’s potential playful intention.