Willem van der Vliet, Dutch
“This Is So On Brand For You, Jasper. You Knew We Were Robbing the Bank Today. How Could You Forget Your Mask?,” 1627
Oil on canvas
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/// Some would say van der Vliet had earned glory
painting weird works like “An Allegory.”
Several figures are masked,
but when experts are asked
“Why?”— they cannot agree on a story.
/// It’s a Scholar who sits In His Study
(that’s the guy with a cloak which is ruddy),
next to figures who stand.
Her mask’s held in her hand;
mask up high held by scholar’s good buddy.
/// “Earthly Love” some say she represents.
Their discussion could be called intense.
The masked man at the right
holding odd objects tight—
wealth or commerce? Don’t ask me, I’m dense.
/// There’s another guess I’ve saved for last.
He’s a playwright who talks with his cast.
Acting tips are conveyed
how their parts should be played.
But who knows? Much too much time has passed.