De dwerg Nicolas Charon als een generaal van de cavalerie, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

This print, made around 1710 by Martin Engelbrecht, depicts Nicolas Charon as a cavalry general, a figure whose dwarfism is both emphasized and mocked. The exaggerated wig and oversized hat, symbols of status, become absurd when placed on such a figure, evoking a sense of carnival. Consider the wig: from ancient Egypt to the courts of Europe, wigs have signified power and authority. Yet here, the wig overwhelms Charon, turning status into caricature. Similarly, the general's baton, a symbol of military command, is reduced to a mere walking stick in his grasp. This inversion resonates deeply. Think of ancient Roman triumphs, where mocking the victorious general was a ritual part of the celebration. The image engages us on a subconscious level; the reduction of power to absurdity taps into a primal recognition of human vanity. The grotesque and the powerful are combined to create a symbol that recurs throughout history.