Uilenspiegel: de bedelaarsfamilie 1520 - 1570

This print, "Uilenspiegel: de bedelaarsfamilie," was created by an anonymous artist. The image is made using the intaglio process of etching, where lines are incised into a metal plate with acid, then filled with ink and printed. The fine, precise lines of the etching beautifully render the scene before us, a family of beggars on the move. Notice the textures created, from the rough clothing to the woven basket carried on the man's back. Each mark represents labor, both in the lives of the subjects and the hand of the artist. While the artist is unknown, the attention to detail suggests someone intimately familiar with the materials and processes of printmaking. The work offers a glimpse into the daily life of the working class, highlighting the inherent dignity and resilience found even in hardship. It asks us to consider the value of labor, both in art and in life.