De dwerg Simon Flenschl, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

This etching by Martin Engelbrecht, created sometime between 1705 and 1715, is a humorous depiction of a dwarf named Simon Flenschl. Flenschl, a servant to a wealthy farmer, is portrayed in a lively pose, holding a beer mug in one hand and a sword in the other. His oversized hat and exaggerated facial features contribute to the comical effect of the work. The inscription accompanying the etching provides further details about Flenschl and the event depicted, possibly a local festival or fair. The image's small size and its inclusion in a collection of similar etchings suggests its intended audience was a small circle of collectors interested in local folklore and satirical social commentary. The etching is currently housed in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, providing a glimpse into 18th-century Dutch society and the art of caricature.