Cologne Beggars III (Kölner Bettler III) 1972

"Cologne Beggars III" (1972) is a photo-realistic lithograph by German artist Sigmar Polke. The artwork depicts a scene of urban poverty, with a figure lying down in the street, surrounded by passersby. The figures are depicted in a hazy, almost ghostly way, creating a sense of anonymity and alienation. Polke’s work is known for its exploration of the interplay between photography and painting, and "Cologne Beggars III" reflects this interest with its blending of photographic realism and painterly abstraction. The work’s use of monochrome and the blurring of figures contributes to the melancholic atmosphere and highlights Polke’s interest in social commentary and the realities of life in urban settings.