Bedelaar met twee stokken 1787

Jean-Pierre Norblin de la Gourdaine created this etching of a beggar with two sticks sometime in the late 18th century. Made in France during a time of stark social inequalities, images like this offer a window into the lives of the poor and marginalized. Consider the visual codes at play here: the beggar's ragged clothing, his hunched posture, and the use of two sticks for support. These details convey a sense of hardship and vulnerability, reflecting the realities faced by many during this period. The artist's choice to depict the beggar from behind invites us to consider the anonymity and social invisibility of poverty. To fully understand the image, we might turn to archival sources, social histories, and studies of popular culture in 18th-century France. We can research the artist's patrons, to consider the public role of art in displaying or challenging social inequalities. Only then can we fully appreciate the historical context and social commentary embedded within this seemingly simple image.