Artwork Page for The Beggar (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #1)

Details / Information for The Beggar (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #1)

The Beggar (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #1)

before 1467

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

(Italian, active 1460s)
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Culture
Italy, Ferrara, 15th century
Medium
engraving hand-colored with gold
Credit Line
Dudley P. Allen Fund 1924.432.1
Catalogue raisonné
Hind E.I.1a
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

This engraving is part of the Tarocchi group marked with the letter “E,” and named Conditions of Man. This series outlines the social and hierarchical order of ten characters (Beggar, Servant, Artisan, Merchant, Gentleman, Knight, Doge, King, Emperor, and Pope), starting from the lowest grade of society and ending with the most important one.

Here, Misero (The Beggar) is shown as a full-length male figure, standing in three-quarter profile to the left, and set in an abandoned landscape. Barely covered by a short cloak, the mendicant rests on his staff, whilst two playful dogs keep him company.

Aside from the large, disfiguring collector's stamp in the top right corner, the bottom third of this sheet has been lost and replaced. Then someone carefully drew in the lower portion of the figure with pen and ink, copying the image and even including a false platemark.
A vertically oriented engraving in black ink depicts a gaunt, balding man in profile. He stands hunched, facing left while leaning against a bare tree. A draped cloak wraps his shoulders and waist. To the right, a dog bites his calf. Behind him, a low brick wall and spindly trees sit beneath a circular emblem. Fine, etched lines define the scene, with the text "MISERO I" inscribed along the bottom edge.

The Beggar (from the Tarocchi, series E: Conditions of Man, #1)

before 1467

Master of the E-Series Tarocchi

(Italian, active 1460s)
Italy, Ferrara, 15th century

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