Dwerg met gitaar; Dwerg met zwaard en masker

Abraham Bosse made this print of two dwarves in the Netherlands in the 17th century. He was an engraver and draughtsman, best known for his etchings depicting contemporary life. Here, we see two dwarves. On the left, one plays a guitar and on the right, one wears a mask and brandishes a sword. The figures might appear comical, yet we should remember that in the 17th century, dwarves were often employed as entertainers or servants in wealthy households. Bosse's print may then offer a commentary on social class, and the roles assigned to individuals based on their physical characteristics. The dwarves seem to mock the culture of nobility, with a sense of self-conscious parody. To understand this image better, we might investigate the history of the court jester, the material culture of masks, and the representation of dwarves in early modern Europe. Art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.