Drie armen op straat 1629

This anonymous etching, “Drie armen op straat,” (Dutch for “Three poor people on the street”), is a small-scale print from 1629 depicting a scene of street life in a Dutch town. The print shows five figures, including a woman with a baby in her arms, a man with a cane, and three begging children. The print is notable for its detailed depiction of clothing and the figures’ expressions. The title, along with the inscription at the bottom, suggests a social commentary on the lives of the poor and the importance of charity. The scene is rendered in a realistic style that captures the gritty details of daily life in the 17th century.