Who painted Beggar Woman with Rosary?

Beggar Woman with Rosary was painted by Jacques Callot in 1622.

Where can I see Beggar Woman with Rosary?

Beggar Woman with Rosary is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Beggar Woman with Rosary?

Beggar Woman with Rosary is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Beggar Woman with Rosary

Jacques Callot , 1622

Beggar Woman with Rosary is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1622 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created around 1622, this etching by Jacques Callot portrays a solitary woman in a modest robe, her head concealed beneath a hood. She leans on a walking stick while clutching a rosary, her stance conveying fatigue. Executed on laid paper, the image exemplifies Callot’s habit of rendering everyday individuals with a clear, observational eye.

Subject & Meaning

The figure appears to be a beggar, suggested by her worn clothing and weary posture, while the rosary hints at a connection to religious devotion or charity. By juxtaposing poverty with a symbol of faith, the work invites contemplation of the social and spiritual dimensions of marginalised lives in early‑17th‑century France.

Technique & Style

Callot employed the etching process, incising lines into a copper plate with acid before printing onto paper. The fine, controlled strokes capture the texture of the robe, the delicate curvature of the rosary beads, and the subtle modeling of the figure’s body, reflecting the baroque interest in detail and narrative clarity.

History & Provenance

The print belongs to Callot’s prolific output of more than a thousand etchings, many of which document contemporary scenes ranging from military camps to street poverty. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is catalogued among his early prints that illustrate his systematic study of social types during his formative years in Lorraine.