In the Paushuize in Utrecht, on the corner of the Kromme Nieuwegracht and Achter Sint Pieter, hangs this ornament. It comes from 1633 and was installed by the then occupant of the building, Daniel d'Ablaing. It sits in an inconspicuous place: directly above the gate on the inside, so that you can't see it from the outside and you can't see it when you enter. You really need to turn around and look up.
The saying is: "Non omne quod miniatur ferit" , which actually means "Not everything that threatens affects"
The reason for this ornament was that Daniel d'Ablaing lived a rather indecent and frivolous life for this time. I couldn't find what that life was. Objections from the surrounding area he waved away, and several lawsuits were brought against him.
As a reaction d'Ablaing applied this ornament. Just a middle finger to the area. Then d'Ablaing was exiled in 1643 and sold his house to the dean of St. Peter, Jacob van Asch van Wijk. And he just left this ornament as it was.
Hi there! Nice seeing you here! I'm Jan vd Knaap, a photographer in Utrecht. I normally deal with portrait photography, for humans and animals, and I give workshops to get the most out of the camera. But in the meantime, I fill my account here.. Read more…