A beggar on crutches holding out a bowl 1635 - 1675

Jacques Dassonville's etching "A beggar on crutches holding out a bowl" (1635-1675) depicts a poignant scene of social disparity in 17th-century Europe. The detailed etching showcases a disabled beggar, relying on crutches and holding out a bowl for alms. The figure's worn clothes and weathered features emphasize their plight, contrasting with the more prosperous-looking figure in the background. The work, now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, captures the harsh realities of poverty and dependence in a visually compelling manner.