A blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms 1757 - 1825

This etching, “A blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms” by Dominique Vivant Denon, depicts a scene of social disparity in 18th or 19th century Europe. The piece, housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases a blind hurdy-gurdy player and his family, likely beggars, being given alms by a passerby. The artist's use of line and shading creates a sense of both pathos and realism, highlighting the stark differences in social class. Denon's work often explored themes of social observation and realism, which are evident in this poignant and insightful etching.