Beggars and the Dying c. 1633

Curator: This print, held at the Harvard Art Museums, is by Jacques Callot. It is titled "Beggars and the Dying." Editor: My immediate reaction is one of somber contemplation. The stark contrast in the etching amplifies the scene's bleakness. Curator: Callot lived from 1592 to 1635 and was deeply affected by the social climate of his era. Etchings such as these highlight the widespread suffering during the Thirty Years' War. Editor: Visually, the scattered figures convey a sense of societal breakdown. Notice how the architecture appears dilapidated, mirroring the condition of the people. The imagery is striking in its depiction of destitution. Curator: Indeed. The symbols used here – the skeletal figures, the barren landscape – all speak to the profound sense of loss and the disruption of social order. It’s a powerful commentary on the human cost of conflict. Editor: Reflecting on it, Callot's print serves as a harrowing reminder of war's enduring impact and the importance of remembering such periods.