Twee dwergen voor de maand mei, 1720 1718 - 1720

Curator: Here we have "Two Dwarves for the Month of May", a Baroque engraving dating from around 1718 to 1720 by Joost van Sassen. It's part of a series, seemingly satirical. What catches your eye first? Editor: That melancholic dwarf with the fabulous headpiece and tears streaming down their face. The musician beside them looks positively gleeful in comparison! It feels a little unsettling. Curator: I see what you mean. There’s a contrast in expressions, isn't there? The exaggerated features of both figures were most likely poking fun at social types. This kind of print was made possible, of course, through specific labor processes, from paper production to the engraver’s skilled work with metal plates and printing presses. Think about the socio-economic conditions in Europe during this time: where did this imagery circulate? Who had access to it? Editor: It makes you wonder about the relationship between the artist and the people being portrayed—and their place in society back then, beyond being reduced to exaggerated characters in this print. Curator: Exactly. This print would have been fairly reproducible; made in multiples, and distributed, purchased. Think of it not as a unique object, but part of a whole network of making and circulation, driven by economic demands, reaching diverse audiences. Editor: Still, regardless of where it originated, I cannot shake this conflicting mix of drama and whimsy. It feels relevant today; the tears and laughter. Curator: I agree. Thinking about the materiality helps contextualize the artwork. Editor: Indeed. Examining it gives us insight into more than just art history—we learn a bit about people and processes.