Bedelende figuur met twee stokken before 1768

This is Simon Troger's, "Begging Figure with Two Sticks", a 32 cm high sculpture made of wood. Troger lived in an era of stark social stratification, where the lives of the privileged few contrasted sharply with those of the impoverished masses. Here, Troger presents a figure defined by destitution. Note the figure’s emaciated physique, exposed through tattered clothing, a stark reminder of the material realities of the poor. Carved from wood, the sculpture bears the marks of its making, echoing the lived experiences of labor and hardship. But what does it mean to aestheticize poverty? Troger’s sculpture invites us to confront uncomfortable questions about our own perceptions of class and human dignity. While the artwork may elicit sympathy, it also challenges us to consider the power dynamics inherent in representing the 'other'. It serves as a reminder of the stories we choose to tell, and the voices that often remain unheard.