A beggar on crutches holding out a bowl 1635 - 1675

Jacques Dassonville etched this image of a beggar holding out a bowl sometime in the 17th century. The bowl, an object of entreaty, is one of the oldest symbols of human need. It has appeared throughout history, often carried by the downtrodden. One can trace the motif of the begging bowl back to ancient Buddhist traditions, where it signified renunciation and humility. Monks would carry a simple bowl to receive alms, a practice that emphasized detachment from material possessions. In our collective memory, the gesture of offering or receiving from a bowl taps into primal emotions: the vulnerability of dependence, the compassion of giving. The psychological weight of this image lies in its ability to evoke these deep-seated feelings, engaging us on a subconscious level. The begging bowl, whether in the hands of a Buddhist monk or a European beggar, reminds us of our shared humanity and the cyclical nature of need and generosity across time.