Studies of Dwarfs and Dogs 1748 - 1758

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo made this drawing, Studies of Dwarfs and Dogs, sometime in the eighteenth century. It offers a glimpse into the social landscape of Venice, where dwarfs and dogs were kept as fashionable curiosities and status symbols by wealthy families. Note the dwarfs' elaborate costumes, mirroring the attire of their masters, and their interactions with the pampered dogs. Tiepolo, scion of a famous family of artists, understood the politics of imagery. This drawing, with its sharp contrasts and grotesque features, can be seen as a subtle critique of the aristocratic obsession with novelty and their treatment of marginalized individuals. Delving into the archives of Venetian society during the 1700s helps one better understand the dynamics of power and representation at play in such images. The art historian can then reflect on the social conditions that shaped artistic production, and on the public role of art at the time.