Reverse Copy of La Mendiante Venant de Recevoir la Charité (The Female Beggar Receiving her Charity), from Les Gueux suite appelée aussi Les Mendiants, Les Baroni, ou Les Barons (The Beggars, also called the Barons) 1625 - 1700

This print is from a series called "The Beggars," of unknown date and authorship. The image presents a figure who is ostensibly poor, but whose dress and bearing hardly suggest destitution. Consider the visual codes at play here. We see a man in a cavalier hat with plume and an elaborate cloak trimmed with fur. The etching technique allows for detailed rendering of fabrics, emphasizing the quality of his garments. He carries himself with an air of self-possession that belies the presumed role of a beggar. The image begs the question: Is this truly a representation of poverty, or is it a commentary on the performance of social roles? Prints like this circulated widely and helped shape perceptions of social classes. To fully understand this image, we would need to delve into the print market of its time, examining how such images were consumed, and what social function they served. The politics of imagery are complex, and this print offers a glimpse into the ways in which art can both reflect and shape social perceptions.