En tiggermunk 1842

"En tiggermunk" is an etching by Vilhelm Kyhn, a Danish artist born in 1819 and died in 1903. This artwork, created in 1842, depicts a beggar monk, a common subject in 19th century art. Kyhn’s detailed etching, displayed at the SMK - Statens Museum for Kunst, showcases a realistic portrayal of the monk's attire and features, highlighting the social realities of the time. The figure’s worn clothes and a bag slung over his shoulder, along with a bucket and a staff, suggest a life of poverty and hardship. The artwork's small size of 165 mm x 145 mm (bladmaal) emphasizes the intimate nature of Kyhn's observation. This etching is a powerful example of realist art and provides insight into social conditions of 19th-century Denmark.