De dwerg Veith Knollinger von Pinklfeldt, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

Martin Engelbrecht's "De dwerg Veith Knollinger von Pinklfeldt" (circa 1710), currently housed in the Rijksmuseum, is a colorful etching that captures a moment in the life of a dwarf named Veith Knollinger von Pinklfeldt. The artwork depicts the dwarf carrying a large sack on his back while walking, his exaggerated features and pose emphasizing his unique physique. Created between 1705 and 1715, the work reflects the prevailing interest in the depiction of the unusual and the fascination with human oddities prevalent in 18th-century Europe. This etching, along with other works from Engelbrecht’s series, serves as a social commentary on the perception of dwarfs and the societal views of the time.