Muziekmakende dwergen 1620 - 1664

Stefano della Bella created this etching, Muziekmakende dwergen, which translates to Music-making Dwarves, at an unknown date. Della Bella was working in Florence in the 17th century, when the Medici family were major patrons of the arts. It was a time when the nobility displayed their wealth by collecting unusual or exotic items. In this context, the depiction of dwarves might not have been viewed as simply a fantastical image. The 'dwarves' pictured are exaggerated caricatures, they are 'grotesques'. The artist has focused on the strangeness of the human body. In the cultural environment of 17th century Florence, 'grotesques' were popular in decorative art and were used as entertainment in court culture. Artists were encouraged to explore the boundaries of taste and decorum. There were real power dynamics at play as those considered 'different' were expected to perform for their social superiors. To better understand the social implications of this image, we can examine court records, medical texts, and popular literature. The role of the historian is to contextualize such works, understanding them as products of the society that produced them.