Zes bedelaars bij een fontein 1647 - 1674

Jan van Ossenbeeck created this etching, "Six Beggars by a Fountain", sometime during his career in the 17th century. The composition immediately draws us in with its stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through a dense network of etched lines. Observe how Ossenbeeck uses these lines not only to define form but also to create texture, giving a tactile quality to the beggars' worn clothing and the rough stonework of the fountain. The figures, slumped and weary, are arranged in a semi-circular fashion around the fountain, creating a sense of enclosure and shared plight. Yet, this arrangement is disrupted by the standing figure, his outstretched arm seemingly indicating a path or perhaps a futile gesture of hope. Ossenbeeck's strategic deployment of line and form challenges the viewer to reflect on the structure of society itself, and the place of those marginalized within it. This is a profound contemplation on the human condition, rendered with both technical skill and philosophical depth.