Beggar Walking on a Crutch 1627 - 1637

This drawing of a beggar with a crutch was made by Andries Both in the 17th century. Notice the sketchiness and how the composition is built around the diagonal thrust of the beggar’s body. Both uses line to define the figure, emphasizing the beggar’s tattered clothing and his strained posture. The landscape behind him is rendered with a few simple strokes, enough to suggest a barren, inhospitable world. This creates a contrast between the detailed portrayal of the beggar and the vagueness of his surroundings, focusing our attention on his plight. The beggar’s crutch acts as a visual anchor. It grounds him but also highlights his immobility and dependence. The drawing invites us to consider the social structures that create such marginal figures.