Reverse Copy of Le Mendiant Obèse aux Yeux Baissés (The Obese Beggar with Lowered Eyes), from Les Gueux suite appelée aussi Les Mendiants, Les Baroni, ou Les Barons (The Beggars, also called the Barons) 1625 - 1700

This print, "Reverse Copy of Le Mendiant Obèse aux Yeux Baissés," was made by an anonymous artist, and belongs to a series of works that depicts beggars. The printmaking process is key here. To make it, the artist would have used a sharp needle-like tool to draw directly into a copper plate. The incised lines hold ink, which is then transferred to paper under great pressure, creating the image. Look closely, and you can see how the etched lines vary in thickness and depth, giving the figure its distinctive texture and form. The social context of this image is particularly important. Beggars were a common sight in Early Modern Europe, and were often viewed with suspicion and disdain. By depicting this figure with such detail and empathy, the artist invites us to consider the humanity of those living on the margins of society. This print is not just a technical exercise, but also a powerful statement about labor, class, and the human condition.