Bedelende figuur before 1768

Editor: Here we have “Bedelende figuur,” or “Begging Figure,” a wooden sculpture by Simon Troger, made sometime before 1768. I'm struck by the starkness of his clothes, they seem so tattered and barely there. What draws your eye to this piece? Curator: It's impossible to ignore the process involved. Consider the labor: the selection of the wood itself, the carving techniques applied, and the clear intention behind depicting poverty with such detail. This isn't just a representation; it's a commentary crafted through materiality. Editor: Commentary in what way? Curator: Troger wasn't merely sculpting an individual; he was exposing a system. The worn clothing, the begging posture – these aren't simply artistic choices, but rather deliberate visual markers pointing to societal structures that create and perpetuate such destitution. How might the patrons of the time have engaged with this commentary, considering their place within the system Troger critiques? Editor: So, the medium itself is part of the message? The wood, a once living thing, transformed into a symbol of deprivation? Curator: Precisely. The inherent qualities of the chosen medium—the type of wood, its grain, even its imperfections—play a role in conveying meaning. The tactile nature of the sculpture invites us to consider the material realities of poverty in contrast to the smooth, often idealized surfaces of other Baroque sculpture. We must always think about art in terms of not only production, but also consumption: Who would be buying this, and why? Editor: I never thought about the material itself telling a story. I’m walking away with a completely different view of not just this sculpture, but art making itself. Curator: Understanding art as a product of its materials and the circumstances of its making illuminates much more than just aesthetic qualities. Thank you, that's a perfect way of looking at it!