Man in een rolstoel ontvangt muntgeld c. 1770

This print, by Pieter Langendijk, presents a man in a wheelchair receiving alms, a scene laden with symbolism. The extended hand, offering or receiving, echoes through art history, from ancient Roman gestures of supplication to Renaissance depictions of charity. Consider the 'Hand of God' motif, often seen in medieval art, bestowing blessings or divine power; here, the roles are inverted, yet the emotional weight of giving and receiving remains. This echoes the psychological dance between benefactor and recipient, a mirroring of dependence and empathy, imprinted deep within our collective memory. Observe the wheel, a symbol of fortune and fate since antiquity. Here, it underscores the man's immobility, yet the charitable act suggests a potential turn of fortune. Such symbols create a powerful visual shorthand, instantly engaging viewers on a subconscious level, triggering empathy and prompting reflection on societal structures and individual destinies. The Wheel of Fortune spins, its symbolism proving ever cyclical and potent, continuously resurrected across ages.