De dwerg Justus Rommelkop, 1720 1718 - 1720

Pieter van Buysen Jr.’s etching, “De dwerg Justus Rommelkop,” or “The dwarf Justus Rommelkop,” from around 1720, presents a complex figure set against the backdrop of the Enlightenment’s fascination with categorizing human diversity. This work reflects the era's conflicting attitudes towards disability and social status. Justus is depicted with attributes of both the court jester and a figure of ridicule, a duality that speaks to the precarious position of disabled individuals in 18th-century European society. The celebratory text beneath his image ironically contrasts with the implied judgment of his physical form, highlighting a tension between the public display and private perception of difference. Rommelkop, holding a foamy glass of beer and wearing a jaunty hat with sword at his side, invites viewers to consider the gaze directed at those who defy normative ideals. In this way, van Buysen's etching serves as a historical mirror, reflecting enduring questions about acceptance, representation, and the politics of looking.