Dwerg met doedelzak; Commedia dell'arte-figuur met gitaar, zwaard en masker 1621 - 1676

This etching by Abraham Bosse, titled "Dwerg met doedelzak; Commedia dell'arte-figuur met gitaar, zwaard en masker," depicts two figures from the Commedia dell'arte, a popular form of Italian street theater in the 16th and 17th centuries. The image shows a dwarf playing a bagpipe, a common character type known as a "zanni" or "buffoon," alongside a figure with a long nose and feathered mask, possibly representing "Pulcinella," another stock character. The etching is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Commedia dell'arte and its influence on visual arts in the 17th century. The style is characteristic of Bosse's meticulous approach to line and detail, reflecting the artist's mastery of etching.