Beggars asking for alms 1635 - 1675

"Beggars Asking for Alms" is an etching by Jacques Dassonville, a prominent 17th-century Flemish artist. This artwork depicts a poignant scene of a frail, elderly beggar, leaning heavily on a staff, holding out a bowl to a passing family. The family, consisting of a man and two children, appears to be in a state of modest wealth. The artist masterfully uses linework and shading to convey a sense of compassion and hardship. Dassonville’s etching offers a glimpse into the social realities of 17th-century Europe, where begging was a common sight and the wealthy often encountered those less fortunate.