Beggar Woman c. 19th century

Curator: There's a haunting fragility to "Beggar Woman" by Michał Płoński, currently held in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It feels like a wisp of charcoal, barely there, yet filled with a quiet suffering. That cloak seems to swallow her whole. Curator: Indeed. Płoński captures a marginalized figure, likely reflecting the social disparities of his time. The etching technique lends itself beautifully to portraying the worn textures. Editor: It's incredible how much the artist achieves with so little—just a few lines to convey the weight of hardship. The angle of the walking stick adds a sense of precariousness. Curator: Absolutely. Think about the politics of representation here. How did images like this influence the perception, and treatment, of the poor? Editor: I think I will be contemplating that for a while. It’s as if a shadow has taken form, and now walks among us.