Bedelaar met stok en kruk, hoed in de linkerhand 1630 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this etching titled ‘Beggar with stick and crutch, hat in his left hand’ sometime in the 17th century. During this period, the Netherlands experienced significant economic and social changes, including widespread poverty. Savery’s depiction of a beggar offers insight into the lives of the marginalized. The man’s worn clothing and the tools he carries speak to a life of hardship, embodying the era's stark social inequalities. His posture and gaze might evoke a sense of resignation, but also resilience. We may see the varied experiences of those who were pushed to the edges of society, their identities shaped by circumstances often beyond their control. The artwork prompts reflection on how societies represent and treat their most vulnerable members. It challenges us to consider the stories behind the image, and how poverty shapes individual identity and social perception, both then and now.