Beggar on Crutches, Wearing a Ragged Bonnet c. 17th century

Curator: This is Jacques Callot's "Beggar on Crutches, Wearing a Ragged Bonnet." Editor: The stark lines create such a sense of destitution; it's almost overwhelming. Curator: Callot was a master of etching, and these images circulated widely. Consider the audience—likely wealthy individuals consuming images of the very poor. Editor: Yes, the materiality of the print, its very existence, highlights the chasm between the represented and the consumer. Each line, etched with acid, speaks to labor, production, and ultimately, consumption. Curator: These prints played a part in shaping public perception, didn't they? They visually codified the image of the beggar. Editor: It's a stark reminder of how art, even in its smallest forms, reflects and reinforces social structures. Curator: Indeed, and Callot's skill ensured this image would endure, shaping the visual language around poverty for generations. Editor: It’s a fascinating look at the politics embedded in the material choices.