Bedelaar before 1768

Curator: Before us stands "Bedelaar," or "Beggar," a wood sculpture completed before 1768 by the Austrian artist Simon Troger. Editor: Woah, that pale flesh against the darker cloak! It gives him such an otherworldly look, like he’s stepped right out of a myth. Curator: Troger was a master of Baroque sculpture, and here he gives us a beggar not in simple supplication but almost…oratorical. Look at his outstretched hand, his pointed finger. It's more declamatory than pleading. Editor: Definitely! There’s a real theatricality about him. He reminds me of an actor on a tiny stage, caught mid-soliloquy. Maybe he’s not asking for alms but challenging our whole concept of worth? Curator: Consider the traditional role of the beggar in folklore and religion. Often they represent a test of our compassion or stand as symbols of humility. He embodies the archetype of the wandering wise man disguised in rags. The dark hat suggests some sort of profession, so why has it come to this. Editor: Absolutely! And wood, as a medium, always whispers of transformation. This figure emerges from the very bones of the earth, a being carved from suffering and resilience. Plus, something about that raised arm evokes protest; like the entire body is tense from begging for life and it feels wrong that he is even in that state. It all makes me feel really bad! Curator: I agree, the piece makes you want to consider the man’s past experiences and future intentions, the cultural position of such an individual. Troger encourages us to look deeper, beyond the surface. Editor: Well, it’s certainly sparked something in me! Next time I see a beggar, I will certainly see the humanity beneath, not a social state. This man is definitely telling some kind of tale. Curator: A testament to art’s ability to reshape our perceptions and, perhaps, stir our empathy. Editor: Indeed. What an emotional workout with a lovely artistic outcome!