Beggar Man and Beggar Woman Conversing
1630
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This sketch shows two people standing close, dressed in loose, tattered clothes. Their faces are worn, with deep lines and wrinkles. One holds a hat in their hand, while the other leans slightly forward, as if talking. The lines are rough and scratchy, giving the whole scene a raw, uneven look. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating dark lines against a lighter background. This method makes the drawing feel urgent and full of texture. Next, look up etching to see how artists like Rembrandt made these kinds of prints.
