Four Beggar Women 1636 - 1646

Stefano della Bella created this etching, Four Beggar Women, sometime in the 17th century. The print depicts a marginalized sector of society and raises questions about the social order of the time. The image of impoverished women with children reflects the economic and social realities of 17th-century Europe, a period marked by stark class divisions and frequent economic hardship. Della Bella was working in Florence, a city with its own distinct political structures and patronage systems. His work may reflect or critique the prevailing attitudes towards poverty and charity within that specific cultural context. To understand this image fully, one could research the social welfare systems of the time, the role of the Catholic Church in assisting the poor, and the prevailing attitudes towards women and children in Florentine society. Historical archives, religious documents, and studies of economic conditions during this era could shed light on the print's significance as a social commentary.