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Lazarillo de Tormes and the blind man bumping into a pillar
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Lazarillo de Tormes and the blind man bumping into a pillar
Lazarillo de Tormes takes his revenge on the blind beggar by forcing him to bump into a pillar. Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli in the background. Copperplate engraving by Thomas Wijck from The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities, 1631
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Media ID 23202426
© Florilegius/Mary Evans
Beggar Blind C17th Etching Fortunes Pillar Staircase Lazarillo Santa Tormes Wijck
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this intriguing 17th-century engraving by Thomas Wijck, we witness a pivotal moment from the infamous tale of Lazarillo de Tormes, a roguish and cunning Spanish protagonist from the novel "The Life of Lazarillo de Tormes and of His Fortunes and Adversities," published in 1554. The image depicts Lazarillo, dressed in a humble robe and accompanied by his loyal dog, standing smirking at the foot of a church staircase in Rome's Church of Santa Maria in Aracoeli. Behind him, a blind beggar, represented by an empty cloak and a long cane, bumps into a stone pillar, unaware of the mischief he has just fallen victim to. Lazarillo, known for his deceitful nature and cunning schemes, had previously befriended the blind beggar, feigning sympathy and offering him shelter. However, after the beggar had unwittingly revealed a hidden treasure, Lazarillo decided to take his revenge. He led the unsuspecting man to the church, promising him alms, and then deliberately placed him in the path of the pillar, causing him to stumble and fall. The engraving captures the moment of the blind man's humiliation, with the church's grand architecture and the busy crowd in the background serving as a stark reminder of the cruelty and injustice that lurks beneath the surface of everyday life. The use of copperplate etching techniques by Thomas Wijck adds depth and texture to the image, making it a visually captivating representation of this classic tale of deception and revenge.
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