Bedelende figuur op twee krukken before 1768

This statuette of a beggar on crutches was carved in the 18th century by Simon Troger, primarily from wood, with the face and torso rendered in ivory. The use of these materials—one common, the other precious—creates a powerful contrast. Look closely, and you’ll see that Troger has captured the figure’s destitution with remarkable detail. The clothing is tattered, revealing bare skin, and the crutches suggest a physical frailty. The carving of wood would have demanded considerable skill, each cut precisely placed to evoke the texture of worn fabric. The smooth ivory face, framed by wooden hair, has an almost mask-like quality, adding to the sense of performance implied by the subject’s plight. Troger was known for these character studies, and his choice of materials and craftsmanship elevate what might otherwise be a simple genre scene into a compelling commentary on social inequality. It prompts us to reflect on the labor involved not only in the figure’s struggle for survival but also in the creation of the artwork itself, reminding us that the value we assign to art is inseparable from the stories it tells.