Accession Number
2009/1.531

Title
A Seated Beggar

Artist(s)
Pablo Picasso

Artist Nationality
Spanish (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
1903-1904

Medium & Support
graphite and ink on paper

Dimensions
15 in x 13 in (38.1 cm x 33.02 cm);13 1/4 in x 11 in (33.66 cm x 27.94 cm);9 in x 7 in (22.86 cm x 17.78 cm)

Credit Line
Joseph F. McCrindle Collection

Subject matter
This sketch is of a beggar seated against a wall, likely on the street, with his hands out for food or money. He is thin and unkempt. Between 1903 and 1904 Picasso was in Barcelona and he made sketches of street scenes, including a series of beggars. The composition, line and subject matter are very similar to these works and it was likely done around the same time.

Physical Description
A sketch of a long and gaunt man seated and begging with a bowl in his left hand. He is turned three-quarters to his right, away from the artist. He is unshaved and wears tattered clothing and no shoes. The shadows of the beggar suggest he is sitting on the street against a wall.

Primary Object Classification
Drawing

Collection Area
Modern and Contemporary

Rights
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Keywords
beggars
drawings (visual works)
homelessness
men (male humans)
shadows
starvation
street scenes