INKtober 2026 - That Dapper Emperor

*‘Dapper’ is a word of Dutch origin. Its Dutch meaning is different. ‘Dapper’ means brave (in this case, the courage to say what others do not dare to say).

For this assignment, I used the fairy tale ‘The Emperor’s New Clothes’. Both are brave: the emperor (in both the English and Dutch meanings of the word) and the child who speaks the truth. As far as the child is concerned, I’m not entirely sure whether pointing at the emperor and saying he’s naked has anything to do with being brave. In this case, it’s simply a child blurting out what he thinks, no different from drunks and ‘idiots’. As we say: children, drunks and madmen speak the truth.

Contrary to what many might think, the emperor, who was mad about fine fabrics and clothing (presumably anything that glitters and sparkles), was not naked. In the days of the fairy-tale tellers (18th/19th centuries), the term ‘naked’ meant something quite different from what we understand by it today.
Nowhere in Hans Christian Andersen’s original story is it mentioned that the emperor was naked. Those fake tailors made him take off his outer garments. In those days, standing in your underwear was called ‘naked’. So the emperor wasn’t walking about like a nudist. He was probably wearing long johns and a sleeved shirt.
Contrary to what some might think, this man wasn’t ashamed (and no, he hadn’t been wearing his boxer shorts with pink hearts either. Pink wasn’t a ‘girls’ colour’ back then), though he may well have been extremely stubborn. One thing is certain: the emperor sees himself as a god. This man has started something and will see it through to the end – and he’s right to do so. After all, you only make a fool of yourself if you feel that way yourself. If you ignore the fact and the wailing of a small child, and the laughter of those the emperor regards as a foolish populace, then there’s nothing to worry about.
It’s just as well that child has no parents; otherwise, they might well find themselves in serious trouble. Who knows, perhaps they and that child – along with those who are laughing – will be eliminated as soon as the emperor is out of sight. After all, a man like that is never out and about on his own. Incidentally, it’s also open to question whether the emperor isn’t primarily focused on himself and actually hears the people at all.
As for intelligence, no ruler wants a clever populace. Those in power would much rather have a docile populace.

Materials

• sketchbook - bamboo paper
• pencil HB
• blue ballpoint
• sort of "pink" fineliner
• watercolour paint (Action)

Other INKtober entries

• Beacon - modern Hans
• you are my Hero - or not
• Lounge Mode Activated
• Confused
• Flightless

_{23.10.26
INKtober prompt: dapper
#ccc #inktober #artonsteemit #drawing #creative #syeemexclusivr}