Callot figures; a well-dressed dwarf man to left declaring his love to an old dwarf woman to left, a dwarf man playing the guitar and a dwarf woman dancing with a tambourine to right, from 'Six grotesques' (Six pièces de figures grotesques) 1684

This etching by Agostino Mitelli II, created in 1684, is part of a series titled "Six pièces de figures grotesques". The scene depicts four dwarf figures in a comedic, exaggerated manner. A well-dressed dwarf man declares his love to an old dwarf woman, while a dwarf man plays a guitar and a dwarf woman dances with a tambourine. This playful depiction of dwarf figures, typical of the grotesque genre, was a popular subject in 17th-century Italian art. The intricate detail and expressive lines of the etching are a hallmark of Mitelli's style, showcasing his mastery of the medium. The work is currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, and offers viewers a glimpse into the humor and social commentary of the Baroque era.