Reverse Copy of Le Mendiant aux Béquilles et la Besace (The Beggar with the Crutches and the Pouch), from Les Gueux suite appelée aussi Les Mendiants, Les Baroni, ou Les Barons (The Beggars, also called the Barons) 1625 - 1700

This print, made anonymously, probably dates to the 17th century and is made using the etching process. This involves coating a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant material, then scratching into the coating with a needle to expose the metal underneath. When the plate is bathed in acid, the exposed lines are eaten away, creating grooves that hold ink. The strength of etching lies in its capacity to create fine, detailed lines, and to allow for freely drawn compositions. In this print, we see these qualities used to depict a beggar, his clothing rendered with a virtuoso display of ragged textures. The figure's abject status is sharply conveyed, yet the very artistry of the print seems to elevate him as a subject. It's worth remembering that printmaking has always been a means of democratizing images, making them available to a wide audience. Even a humble beggar could find a kind of immortality through this relatively accessible medium. This print reminds us that materials and making are never neutral; they always carry social and cultural significance.