Reverse Copy of the Frontispiece, from "Les Gueux suite appelée aussi Les Mendiants, Les Baroni, ou Les Barons" (The Beggars, also called the Barons) 1625 - 1700

This print, a reverse copy of a frontispiece, gives us a glimpse into the lives of the less fortunate. It’s an etching, which means the anonymous artist would have coated a metal plate with wax, drawn into it with a sharp needle, and then bathed the plate in acid. The acid bites into the exposed metal, creating recessed lines that hold ink. Notice the quality of line, and how it models form, and evokes the very real struggles of this individual. From his tattered clothes to his weary posture, we see the evidence of a hard life etched—literally—into the image. The labor is evident. This print belongs to a much larger history, when printmaking became a powerful tool for social commentary, and it reminds us of the capacity of art to reflect on issues of labor, class, and the human condition. It is a reminder that even a humble print can carry profound social and cultural significance.