Beggar, Germany 18th century Follower of Simon Troger

An evocative figure of a walking beggar, this sculpture exemplifies the refined artistry of the followers of Simon Troger (1683–1768), the master sculptor celebrated for his striking contrasts between dark wood and pale ivory. Active between Tyrol and Munich, Troger emerged in the eighteenth century as one of southern Germany’s most accomplished artists, renowned for his depictions of old men, pilgrims, and humble folk—works that combine acute naturalism with deep spiritual resonance.
In this tradition, the anonymous artist demonstrates a remarkable command of form and movement. The face, hands, and staff, carved in ivory, stand out vividly against the warm, resonant tones of fruitwood. This contrast, so characteristic of Troger’s circle, conveys more than a visual interplay: it becomes a moral metaphor—the tension between the fragility of the flesh and the nobility of the soul, between material poverty and inner illumination.
The subject of the beggar, rendered with restraint and quiet dignity, reflects the moral introspection of the late Baroque sensibility. It is neither caricature nor sentimentality, but a universal image of humanity, suffused with acceptance and humility.
Intimate in scale and of exceptional craftsmanship, such sculptures were highly sought after by eighteenth-century connoisseurs, who admired the delicacy of their precious materials and the subtlety of their expression. Intended for the private cabinet, they embodied an art of miniature and contrast—an aesthetic of refinement and contemplation.

A rare and sensitive example of this exquisite tradition, poised between popular realism, Baroque devotion, and the collector’s fascination with material virtuosity.