Cripples 

Hieronymus Bosch created 'Cripples' in the late 15th or early 16th century using pen and ink on paper. Pen and ink drawings were a common medium for preliminary sketches and studies, allowing artists to explore ideas and compositions before committing to more time-consuming techniques. In this work, the starkness of the ink on paper emphasizes the physical struggles of each figure, focusing on the way they use crutches, or strain to move across the ground. Each individual appears isolated, a direct consequence of their physical condition and the economic hardships of the time. Bosch’s choice of pen and ink allows for an immediate, unvarnished portrayal of poverty and suffering. The line work creates a kind of visual shorthand, quickly communicating the conditions of the poor and marginalized. Bosch’s emphasis on the raw, unadorned quality of the drawing underscores a broader commentary on the socio-economic disparities of his time. By engaging with the medium of pen and ink, Bosch highlights the material conditions that shape human experience.