Blind Beggar with His Dog c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot’s etching, Blind Beggar with His Dog, now held at the Harvard Art Museums. There's something so immediately somber about it, isn't there? Editor: Yes, the figure is weighted down, not just by circumstance, but the very lines seem to droop with him. Notice the dog, though, a symbol of loyalty in even the most abject conditions. Curator: Absolutely. And within the socio-political context of 17th century Europe, these images of the marginalized served a critical function—a kind of stark visual commentary on societal disparities. Editor: Indeed. The hat and cloak, almost iconic in their representation of poverty, tell a deeper story of resilience, or perhaps, the precarity of life. Curator: It is quite moving how Callot uses simple lines to evoke so much empathy. Editor: It makes you wonder about the stories this man carries.