Helena Antonia, Belgian Bearded Dwarf

Helena Antonia Galeckha of Liège (1550-1595) was a bearded female court dwarf of Maria of Austria, Holy Roman Empress and was a favorite of Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain, and also a lady-in-waiting for Constance of Austria. A relatively small number of women are able to grow enough facial hair to have a distinct beard. In some cases, female beard growth is the result of a hormonal imbalance (usually androgen excess), or a rare genetic disorder known as hypertrichosis. Sometimes it is caused by use of anabolic steroids. Cultural pressure leads most to remove it, as it may be viewed as a social stigma. Dwarfism, also known as short stature, occurs when an organism is extremely small. In humans, it is sometimes defined as an adult height of less than 4 feet 10 inches, regardless of sex, although some individuals with dwarfism are slightly taller. Disproportionate dwarfism is characterized by either short limbs or a short torso. In cases of proportionate dwarfism, both the limbs and torso are unusually small. Normal intelligence and lifespan are usual. No artist credited, undated.

ARTE • BELGA • BLANCO Y NEGRO • CIENCIA • CURIOSO • DIBUJO • ENANISMO • ENANO DE LA CORTE • ENANO • EUROPEA • EUROPEAS • EUROPEO • EUROPEOS • EXTRAÑO • FAMOSA • FAMOSO • FIGURA • GENTE • GRABADO • HIPERTRICOSIS • HIRSUTISMO • HISTORIA • HISTORICO • ILUSTRACION • IMPORTANTE • INUSUAL • MEDICINA • MEDICINAL • MUJER BARBUDA • MUJER • MUJERES • NANISM • NANISMO • OBRA DE ARTE • PECULIAR • PERSONA • PERSONALIDAD • PERSONALIDADES • S. XVI • SIGLO XVI