Staande voorovergebogen bedelaar met arm in draagdoek Possibly 1638 - 1665

Salomon Savery created this print of a standing, bent-over beggar with his arm in a sling sometime in the 17th century. Savery’s depiction offers a glimpse into the lives of the marginalized during the Dutch Golden Age, a time when the Netherlands experienced economic prosperity, but also vast disparities in wealth. The beggar’s hunched posture and worn clothing speak to a life of hardship, reflecting the era’s social stratification. The print also brings up questions around the representation of disability and poverty. Is Savery giving us a realistic depiction of the hardships faced by the less fortunate, or is he playing into stereotypes? What does it mean to view the beggar’s body as a spectacle, inviting viewers to scrutinize his suffering? The church in the background serves as a reminder of the role of religious institutions, and hints at the complex relationship between charity, faith, and social responsibility. The image invites us to reflect on the complex ways in which society addresses inequality.