Study of a Male Beggar c. 17th century

Francesco Allegrini created this study of a male beggar using pen and brown ink. The artwork is dominated by the figure of the beggar, rendered with delicate yet firm lines that capture his hunched posture and ragged attire. The monochrome brown ink gives the piece a stark, almost austere quality, emphasizing the subject's destitution. Allegrini's use of line is particularly striking. Notice how he employs hatching and cross-hatching to create areas of shadow and volume, giving depth to the figure despite the drawing's small scale. The lines are not merely descriptive; they are expressive, conveying a sense of weariness and resignation. The beggar's bowed head and the folds of his clothing direct our gaze downwards, reinforcing the themes of poverty and humility. The formal elements of line and composition work together to create a powerful statement about social inequality. The artwork invites us to contemplate the structural forces that shape human experience.