De dwerg Mademoiselle Poupon, als Parijse schone, ca. 1710 1705 - 1715

Martin Engelbrecht created this print of Mademoiselle Poupon around 1710. It’s an etching with an added layer of hand-applied color. At this time, Paris was the style capital of Europe, and this print reflects the anxieties around social mobility. The figure, a daughter of a parliamentary advocate, is satirized through grotesque exaggeration. Her elaborate wig and dress, typical of Parisian fashion, are undermined by her dwarfish stature and homely features. In the background, we see other figures, perhaps mocking or gossiping about her. The print's text further emphasizes the satire, suggesting that she charms potential patrons with her 'agreeable mind.' This print speaks volumes about the rigid social hierarchies of the time and the cultural obsession with appearances. To truly understand this image, one might explore conduct books, fashion plates, and other visual satires of the period found in libraries and archives. These sources help us understand the complex interplay between art, social aspiration, and institutional power.