Who painted The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes?

The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes was painted by Jacques Callot in 1623.

Where can I see The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes?

The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes?

The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes

Jacques Callot , 1623

The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes is a print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1623 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2008.34.12
Credit line: The Jane B. Tripp Charitable Lead Annuity Trust

About this work

Overview

Jacques Callot’s print, titled The Beggars: Beggar without Hat or Shoes, dates from around 1623. Executed in black and white, the image presents a solitary figure cloaked in a ragged mantle, barefoot and without headwear. The work resides in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on a destitute man whose exposed feet and lack of hat underscore his poverty. His hands grasp the torn fabric close to his chest, suggesting a defensive posture and a need for self‑preservation. The stark presentation invites contemplation of social marginalisation in early seventeenth‑century Europe.

Technique & Style

Callot employs rapid, sketch‑like incisions to render the folds of the cloak and the texture of the figure’s skin. The lines are crisp and somewhat abrasive, creating a sense of immediacy akin to a study. Minimal background detail leaves the surface largely blank, emphasizing the solitary figure through contrast and tonal economy.

History & Provenance

Created circa 1623, the print forms part of Callot’s broader series documenting beggars and itinerant populations. It entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition, though the precise path of ownership before its museum entry is not extensively documented.

The Beggars: Obese Beggar with Lowered Eyes, Jacques Callot

Artist & collection

Artist

Jacques Callot

Jacques Callot (French: ; c. 1592 – 1635) was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine. He is an important person in the development of the old master print. He made more than 1,400 etchings that…