Twee dwergen voor de maand oktober, 1720 1716 - 1720

This print, "Two Dwarves for the Month of October," was made in 1720 by Joost van Sassen. At its center, we see two dwarves seated at a table, sharing a drink, framed by a decorative border, which is a scene of revelry and leisure. The dwarf figure, as a symbol, echoes through time. In ancient Egypt, the dwarf deity Bes protected households, a role of guardianship we see echoed in later folklore. Here, the dwarves’ presence, combined with imagery of October’s harvest time, evokes themes of abundance and celebration. Yet, there is also an unsettling element. Are we meant to laugh at them? Ponder their existence? Such imagery taps into our collective psyche. The carnival mirror, the grotesque—these have long served to reflect and distort our own realities, provoking unease and, perhaps, a confrontation with our own hidden selves. This visual language isn't linear; it spirals, reappearing in various guises, continuously engaging with our deepest fears and desires.