A blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms after 1648

This print, now at the Rijksmuseum, portrays a blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms. The central figure, his eyes unseen, evokes not just physical blindness but a deeper symbolic obscurity. Consider how the blind musician archetype surfaces throughout history, from Homer to the medieval troubadours. Blindness, in these contexts, often suggests heightened inner vision or access to hidden knowledge. Here, the alms they receive are not merely sustenance, but a form of recognition—an acknowledgement of the value of their art and existence. The act of giving becomes a reciprocal exchange, where the giver is reminded of their own fortune and responsibility toward the less fortunate. This motif echoes through time, appearing in various guises across cultures. It resonates with our own deeply ingrained sense of empathy and the recognition of shared humanity. Even today, this scene evokes a powerful emotional response, reminding us of the cyclical nature of fortune and the enduring human need for compassion.