The Beggars (Eulenspiegel) 1520

Lucas van Leyden etched "The Beggars" around 1520, a work brimming with symbols of marginality and displacement. The bagpipe player, prominently positioned, leads a motley crew, each burdened with children or possessions, evoking the biblical flight into Egypt, but with a stark, secular twist. The bagpipe itself is a fascinating motif. In medieval times, it was often associated with pastoral scenes and merriment. However, by the Renaissance, it became a symbol of the lower classes, often linked with vagrancy. We see echoes of this duality even today. Think of festive folk music versus the lonely street musician, each playing the same instrument, yet evoking vastly different emotions. This image taps into our collective memory, stirring a deep, subconscious recognition of human vulnerability and resilience. The cyclical nature of poverty and displacement, depicted here, resurfaces throughout history, constantly evolving, yet tragically constant.