Dwerg met hoed die een rol papier leest, 1720 1718 - 1720

This caricature in pen and ink wash by Joost van Sassen, made around 1720 in the Netherlands, encapsulates a volatile moment in Dutch economic history. It’s likely this image critiques the speculative frenzy around the Mississippi Company Bubble, a period marked by both dazzling wealth and devastating financial ruin. Van Sassen’s grotesque figure, identified as both a "controller of the disastrous" and a "lucky seeker of treasures," embodies the dueling forces of greed and risk that drove the market. The figure’s oversized hat and exaggerated features signal a critique of the elite, perhaps referencing specific individuals involved in the scandal. The paper he reads likely contains details of financial transactions, while the background scene suggests the widespread social impact of the crisis. By examining period financial records, pamphlets, and political cartoons, we can uncover the layers of social and institutional critique embedded in this seemingly simple image. Art offers unique insights into the human consequences of economic upheaval.