# Two Mice

- By: Joris Hoefnagel (Antwerp, 1542–1600)
- Date: 1594
- Medium: parchment (animal material), gouache (paint)
- Classification: drawing
- Dimensions: height 89 mm x width 123 mm
- Credit line: Gift of the Departement van Binnenlandse Zaken
- Museum: [Rijksmuseum](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/collection/object/RP-T-1895-A-3115--e4139e9bb3805d9f06faddfb17c37c05)
- Rights: [Public Domain Mark](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/)
- Picture: https://iiif.micr.io/HmvIo/full/!1920,1080/0/default.jpg
- Who can see it: Little Ones profiles and older (museums give no ratings; placed by Invisible Network from the museum's own words)

This drawing was specially made by Joris Hoefnagel for his friend Johannes Muisenhol from Frankfurt. The scene refers to his surname (mouse hole), while the extinguished candle and the gnawed walnut stand for the transience of life. Symbolism played an important role in the 16th century. The artist also had a keen eye for the faithful depiction of the mice.