Dwarf as Mars (one of a pair) 1770

This 1770 sculpture, "Dwarf as Mars (one of a pair)" by Walter Pompe, depicts a dwarf dressed in ornate 17th-century attire, his face bearing a wry expression, his hand resting on his hip. The figure, carved from wood, is a prime example of Pompe's mastery of naturalistic detail. While his work often drew from Baroque and Rococo styles, it also incorporated elements of caricature. The sculpture is part of a pair, now housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The artist's skillful rendering and the inclusion of humor in this depiction of a dwarf highlight his unique artistic vision.