The Rat Catcher Cornelis Visscher Original Proof

Etching and chisel from the 17th century by Cornelis Visscher (Harlem 1629-1658) depicting a rat catcher depicting the small trades of yesteryear. The plague raging, some people endeavored to eradicate the proliferation of rats. This print shows a man responsible for catching rats, a tamed rat on his shoulder responsible for attracting his congeners, he is accompanied by his dog to help him flush out the rats and a young boy to help him squeeze into tight places. This proof is signed and dated at the top right C Visscher 1655. A Latin maxim accompanied by the image: Fele fugas mures! magnis si furibis arces exiguos fures, furor éft. Me refpice vilis fi modo numus a dest mures felesgue fugabo. Bottom right, the mention that Frederik de Wit (Amsterdam 1630-1706) executed this work.