Old Master Drawing 18th Dutch School Trompe l'Oeil

Dutch School, 18th century

Reversible Heads of a Fool and a Cardinal – a Trompe l’Oeil

Pen and black ink, grey wash, 68 x 88 mm (2.7 x 3.5 inch)

Inscribed ‘STVLTI ALIQVANDO SAPIENTES’ (‘fools are sometimes wise men’)

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This charming miniature drawing is an interesting example of early trompe l’oeil images, highly popular in the early modern period. It represents either a cardinal, wearing his distinguishing headgear, or a fool, depending on which way it is turned.

Our drawing records an anti-papist medal which was in use by the 17th century, which includes the identical inscription in Latin (see image). The medal was particularly popular in Protestant territories, and a copy formed part of the collection of Frans van Mieris the Younger (1689-1763), who engraved it for his Histori der Nederlandsche Vorsten, uit de Huizen van Beijere, Borgonje en Oostenrijk (The Hague 1732-35, p. 112) (see last image).

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