MANTEGNA, Andrea
(b. 1431, Isola di Carturo, d. 1506, Mantova)

The Court of Gonzaga (detail)

1465-74
Walnut oil on plaster
Camera degli Sposi, Palazzo Ducale, Mantua

Standing beside Barbara of Brandenburg is a dwarf, the only person to gaze unswervingly out of the painting and thus make contact with the viewer. In those time it was very common to keep dwarfs as jesters or companions.




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