Dimensions: height 170 mm, width 110 mm, height 320 mm, width 225 mm
Copyright: Rijks Museum: Open Domain
This is Martin Engelbrecht's "De dwerg Hanß Görge Prijhann als woeste officier", made around 1710. The print presents a strikingly disproportionate figure; Prijhann's oversized head and diminutive body immediately capture our attention. Engelbrecht uses a limited color palette to define the subject's form, contrasting the dark, almost black boots with the brighter shades of his coat and hat. The use of hatching creates depth and texture, particularly noticeable in the rendering of his clothing and the landscape behind him. Here, scale is not just a physical attribute but a means of social commentary. Prijhann's exaggerated features might mock military pretensions or the era's social hierarchies. Engelbrecht’s print destabilizes established categories and values, inviting viewers to question the relationship between appearance and power. It's a potent reminder that art often challenges fixed meanings, prompting us to reconsider how we perceive the world around us.
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