16th century, Europe, gallery, historical figure, primary source, quotes, Spain, Spanish
This painting depicts the Spanish Infanta Isabella Clara Eugenia (1566-1633), Archduchess of Austria, in an affectionate pose with the dwarf natural Madalena Ruiz. Madalena was at court for some forty years from 1565, and is mentioned a number of times in letters...
16th century, Europe, gallery, historical figure, primary source, Spain
The female dwarf Madalena Ruiz served at the Spanish court from 1565 for some forty years. See also the portrait of her alongside the Spanish Infanta, and affectionate references to her in letters written by Philip II (1527-98) from Portugal. Credit: Anon....
2nd millennium BCE, Egypt, Egyptian, gallery, primary source
The earliest reference I have found to a possible court jester concerns a dwarf at the Egyptian court in the 3rd millennium BCE. It appears that dwarfs and pygmies were respected in ancient Egypt, and there is even a dwarf god, Bes. More to follow on this as I am...
19th century, fictive fool, primary source, quotes, Russia, Russian, stories
I liked this example of a fool in a Russian household, as described by Tolstoy in War and Peace. I also like the buffoon’s nonsense response to a question that is in some ways unanswerable. GAP MAP: There is a great deal more to be discovered regarding fools and...
