Old Beggar Woman with a Gourd c. 17th century

Curator: Here we have Rembrandt van Rijn's etching, "Old Beggar Woman with a Gourd." It's a small work, only about 4 by 2 inches. Editor: It feels heavy, though. She's stooped, burdened—and the cross-hatching really emphasizes the weight of her clothes, the density of her situation. Curator: Rembrandt was fascinated by the margins of society. Prints like this were relatively inexpensive and circulated widely. They shaped public perception of poverty. Editor: I love that gourd hanging off her back—it’s almost like another head, a second burden of need. Curator: Indeed. It humanizes her, showing that even in destitution, there are needs and stories carried along. Editor: Makes you wonder about the stories etched onto her face, the landscape of hardship. I’m grateful the image lingers with me.