Dwarfs in 17 century painting

[Guest guest]

Kim --

Actually, dwarfs were kept by royal houses as status symbols. They were

little more than pets, albeit well kept pets.

Rose J.

[Guest guest]

Hey all,

I'm taking an art class this semester and my teacher was showing us various

paintings from the Spanish Baroque (17 century) and up came this one:

http://arthistory.westvalley.edu/images/V/VELAZQUEZ/MENINAS.JPG

It’s called " Las Meninas " and in the lower right corner there is a picture

of two dwarfs. I thought some people on the list might like to see it.

It’s interesting because they are not servants, but companions of the

princess (in the middle). They are dressed in royal attire and were treated

very respectfully. My teacher also said they kept the children behaving.

The picture might take awhile to download, but I found it worth it.

Kim

http://www.geocities.com/kimmay5

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[Guest guest]

From: kim aka kimmay <kimmay5@...>

>

> I'm taking an art class this semester and my teacher was showing us

various

> paintings from the Spanish Baroque (17 century) and up came this one:

> http://arthistory.westvalley.edu/images/V/VELAZQUEZ/MENINAS.JPG

Also, look for a book called " Small People - Great Art "

Illustrated with nothing but pictures which include small people. Published

by Artcolor Verlag

ISBN 3 - 89261 - 336 - 2

Good luck

Fred

[Guest guest]

I wonder how true what you've said is. It's certainly food for thought.

If you look at the " official " version I would agree. But what really

happened?

Look at it this way. You have a dwarf who's managed to get into a

position that he or she has attracted the attention of a royal to the

point that he or she has gained a position on the royal staff. This must

be an exceptional person who now has the ear of the royal personage.

This royal personage may never admit that they listen to the dwarf in

question, to save face, but I have no doubt that this person would

affect the attitudes of the royal in question. The dwarf is still

screwed as far as recognition goes but I wonder if dwarfs haven't

effected changes from behind the scenes for a very long time. The dwarf

is the fool and from the fool we learn true wisdom.

I've got to think about it. I think this is a worthy topic.

Marty