Zieke bedelaar en oude bedelares 1630 - 1700

This small etching, "Sick Beggar and Old Beggar Woman" of unknown origin, captures a stark scene of poverty. Its anonymous creation perhaps speaks to the marginalized status of its subjects, reflecting a society where the suffering of the poor was often overlooked or deliberately ignored. Notice how the artist depicts the figures: the sick beggar lies prone, his body contorted in discomfort, while the old woman stands, perhaps offering a semblance of care. The rough, sketchy lines of the etching emphasize the harshness of their existence, their bodies worn and weathered. The lack of idealization forces us to confront the realities of poverty and social inequality. Who were these individuals? What circumstances led them to this state? The print leaves us with lingering questions about the human cost of indifference and the unseen stories of those living on the margins of society. It asks us to recognize our shared humanity, and consider the societal structures that perpetuate suffering.