Triple Portrait of Arigo, Pietro and Amon

Agostino Carracci, an Italian engraver, art teacher and painter of the Baroque movement created this painting titled, ‘Triple portrait of Arigo, Pietro and Amon’ loosely translated as ‘Hairy Harry, Mad Peter and Tiny Amon’. It was commissioned by Cardinal Odoardo Farnese from Ferrara. The painting is a social commentary on the eccentric members at the court of Farnese family. The picture depicts Harry, otherwise known as the Hairy Harry due to suffering from Hypertrichosis, a condition in which excessive hair is present on a person’s body and face. This condition was prominently found in the aboriginal inhabitants of the Canary Islands. People with this condition were shipped off to Europe to study, serve and sometimes for amusement. To the right of Harry is a man whispering in his ear, the Mad Peter. Here, the word ‘mad’ refers to how mental illnesses and erratic behaviours were viewed in the 16th century Europe. A slightly crouched dwarf man on the left is Amon. The artist has vividly portrayed him bending to present his unusual short height. We also find various animal surrounding these three protagonists of the painting. An exotic parrot, or perhaps a macaw is seen munching on fruits from the palm of Harry and seated upon Amon’s arm. A dog and a puppy are visible along with two monkeys keeping them company. Instead of presenting them as a mockery, Carracci has depicted them as people with individuality and sense of dignity. It is important to note that art often plays a role of providing different perception in social functions.