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Allegory of a Man Locking a Woman into a Chastity Belt
Heinrich Wirich (mentioned on object), c. 1575 - c. 1600
When the cat is away, the mice will play. The nude woman hands the key to her chastity belt to her husband, who is about to leave on a trip. The maidservant, however, stands at the ready with a spare key. Is the man next to her the lady’s lover? A jester vainly tries to keep fleas in a basket, a reference to the foolishness of the husband, whose hat resembles his fool’s cap.
- Artwork typeprint
- Object numberRP-P-2014-66-4
- Dimensionsheight 231 mm x width 284 mm, height 272 mm x width 344 mm
- Physical characteristicsgravure