Emotional, detailed steel engraving from the picture by J.L. Dyckmans.
At the door of a continental church stands the beggar, soliciting alms from the congregation leaving the sacred edifice. He is a man past the prime of his life; his hair is white, and a long silvery beard falls over the breast. The face is fine and expressive, though no ray of light pours forth from the lustreless eyeballs; the lids have been judiciously drawn down by the artist to avoid any ghastly appearance.
By his side is a young girl, who clings closely to him; the disparity of their ages almost forbids the idea that she is his daughter. Still, she may be, and probably does stand in that relationship. Her countenance is very sweet, but void of all the cheerfulness of youth; it is grave, thoughtful, but not distressed. The combined attitude of the pair is as touching as the circumstances of their case are sad and appalling.
Printed on heavyweight ivory/cream stock. Reverse side is blank.
Title (printed below image): The Blind Beggar
Publication: The Art Journal
Publication Year: 1864
Publisher: London: Virtue & Co., Ltd.
Approximate Page Size (in inches): 9 x 12.75
Approximate Image Size (in inches): 8 x 9
Condition: Excellent.
Library blind stamp* in margin goes slightly into image area, but does not detract from the beauty of this print.
*blind stamp: A colorless impression that is embossed on paper.
