A blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms after 1648

This etching of a blind hurdy-gurdy player and family receiving alms was made by an anonymous artist. It is housed in the Rijksmuseum. The scene presents a snapshot of Dutch society, likely from the 17th or 18th century, where poverty and charity were intertwined with daily life. Wandering musicians, often disabled, relied on the generosity of others for survival. This image isn't just a depiction of poverty, but also a reflection on the social structures that necessitated such reliance on alms. The work encourages us to consider the role of art in social commentary. Does it critique the existing social order, or simply reflect it? To understand this fully, we might delve into archival records of charitable institutions. This investigation would shed light on the complex relationship between the artist, their subject, and the society in which they lived.