Bedelaar 17th century

This print, titled ‘Bedelaar’, meaning beggar, was likely made by an anonymous artist using woodcut. The technique involves carving an image into a block of wood, and then using ink to transfer that image to paper. The stark black lines and hatched shading give a real sense of texture to the beggar’s ragged clothing and the landscape around him. This is not an idealized image; the figure is stooped, with a cane in each hand, and accompanied by a dog that also seems down on its luck. Notice the blank banner at the top. This was probably intended to hold a motto, or some text that would further explain the image. The use of woodcut is significant. It was a relatively inexpensive and accessible medium, which meant that images like these could be widely distributed, offering social commentary on the lives of the less fortunate. The very directness of the medium, with its emphatic graphic quality, underscores the blunt reality of poverty. This print reminds us that art is not just about beauty, but also about engaging with the world around us.