The Beggars (Eulenspiegel)
Lucas van Leyden Netherlandish
Not on view
Although played at court, bagpipes were considered by the elite to be associated with the lower classes, particularly beggars. The instrument’s resemblance to male reproductive organs made it a popular subject for crude jokes. Both connotations come together in this image, where the poverty-stricken musician is surrounded by a seemingly endless number of offspring.
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