Benevolence 1792

"Benevolence" is an aquatint by Samuel Alken, an English painter, aquatint artist, and engraver. The satirical print, created in 1792, depicts a group of men seated outside a tavern. A poor woman and her child approach the men begging for money, while the men look on, seemingly indifferent. The scene is meant to criticize the lack of compassion and charity shown by the wealthy towards the poor. "Benevolence" is currently held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.