De dwerg Blaßl Broatgosch, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

Around 1710, Martin Engelbrecht created this hand-colored engraving, now held at the Rijksmuseum, titled 'De dwerg Blaßl Broatgosch'. This work offers a window into the early 18th century’s complex relationship with identity and representation. Engelbrecht presents us with a figure identified as a "dwarf," a term loaded with historical baggage. In this period, individuals with dwarfism were often relegated to the margins of society. They were simultaneously figures of amusement, objects of curiosity, and sometimes, members of the court. The figure's role as a "night watchman" further complicates the narrative. It raises questions about power dynamics and the ways in which marginalized individuals were positioned within social structures. What does it mean for a person of short stature to be tasked with guarding and surveying? Engelbrecht invites us to consider how societal perceptions shape not only individual identities but also their roles and responsibilities. This image is both whimsical and deeply human.