An old woman holding a mousetrap while a young girl holds a string attached to its tail

Art Historical Context

In the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department, this enchanting 18th-century engraving by Venetian artists Antonio Marinetti andcolò Cavalli (ca. 1750–80) captures a whimsical domestic moment: an old woman clutches a mousetrap while a young girl playfully tugs a string attached to its, with a mouse presumably in the mix. The sizable plate (17½ × 13½ inches) allowed for intricate details, making it a standout example of collaborative printmaking from Venice's vibrant artistic scene during the late Rococo period. Engraving, the medium here, involved incising fine lines into a copper plate with a burin, inking it, and pressing paper to create rich, tonal contrasts—ideal for reproducing lively genre scenes like this one, which likely drew from popular moral tales or everyday life. Such prints democratized art, circulating widely among Europe's middle classes. Acquired in 1947 through The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, it highlights themes of intergenerational mischief, innocence, and perhaps cautionary folly involving girls, women, and the sly mouse. This piece invites visitors to ponder the humor in human-animal antics, reflecting 18th-century Italy's delight in lighthearted narratives.

About the Artist

Antonio Marinetti|Niccolò Cavalli (Italian|Italian) · 1710 |1730 –1796 |1822

Italian, Chioggia 1710–1796 Venice|Italian, Longarone, 1730–1822