Dwarves, lilliputians

Author: Westerhout, Arnold van

Publisher: Schmidt, Albrecht

Published: Augsburg

Publishing year: 1720

Lilliputians, dwarfs. Arnold van Westerhout (1651-1725), Elias Baeck (1679-1747). A baroque series of caricatures of Lilliputians / dwarfs. 11 orig. copperplate engravings. Engraved by Elias Baeck, called 'Heldenmuth'. Published by A. Schmidt in Augsburg, ca. 1720. In upper corners numbered 'a 1-4', 'b 1-4', 'c 1, 2, 4' (c 3 missing). Old blind-printed heraldic collector's stamps in the left margin (outside of the printed area). A total of 22 satirical depictions, each with 3-4 figures. Half of the engravings after van Westerhout (his cycle 'Raccolta di diverse caricature', 1687 - see e.g. collections of the British Museum). Our engravings differ, among others, in the addition of a landscape background. Each engraving 18,5:28,5 cm (7 1/4 x 11 1/4 inch.) printed on handmade paper 24:39,5 cm (9 1/2 x 15 1/2 inch.).

A rare series of copperplate engravings with curiously deformed stunted figures of various trades (crafts - including alchemist, butcher, cook) and estates as they were popular in the 17th and early 18th centuries. The era of similar 'dwarf figures' and 'zwergen cabinets' began with Jacques Callot's pioneering series of etchings 'Les Gobbi' from 1622.

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Tags: Arnold van Westerhout, Calott, Resuscitato Raccolta di diverse Caricature Baeck Heldenmuth Schmidt 1720, engraving lilliputians baroque caricatures, copperplate