De Franse dwerg Madame Palatinelle, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

This satirical etching, *De Franse dwerg Madame Palatinelle* (c. 1710), by Martin Engelbrecht (1684-1756), depicts Madame Palatinelle, a dwarf, dressed in the latest fashions of the time. The etching satirizes the extravagant clothing styles and lavish lifestyles of the French nobility, emphasizing the absurdity of fashion trends and the lengths people would go to follow them. The exaggerated portrayal of Madame Palatinelle's clothing, particularly her enormous hat and numerous layers of skirts, highlights the artist's humorous take on the trends of the day, making this artwork both a comical and insightful commentary on the French court.