Beggar with Crutch

Beggar with Crutch is a powerful print created by Camille Pissarro French, 1830-1903, in 1897. This late work is a lithograph executed in black ink, applied to violet laid paper. The artist utilized the sophisticated chine collé technique, where the delicate, tinted sheet is expertly bonded to a heavier, supporting white wove paper base, enhancing the contrast and textural quality of the final image. This method allowed Pissarro to achieve a distinctive visual atmosphere suited to the subject matter.

As a leading figure in the French art world throughout the later 19th century, Pissarro often turned his focus from pure Impressionism toward socially charged subjects and urban scenes in his later career. This piece exemplifies the artist’s commitment to depicting marginalized figures and the realities of working life in France. The image centers on a solitary beggar, rendered with a stark directness, leaning heavily on a crutch. The somber palette, dictated by the black lithographic ink juxtaposed against the violet paper, underscores the gravity and isolation of the subject.

This significant example of late 19th-century French graphic arts is classified as a print and resides in the distinguished permanent collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. Pissarro’s technical prowess in translating observational drawing into detailed lithographic prints cemented his importance as an artist working across multiple mediums. His commitment to social realism remains a hallmark of these works, which are highly valued for their insight into fin-de-siècle life. For researchers and enthusiasts of 19th-century prints, high-resolution images of this important work are frequently available through the museum’s public domain resources.