The Needy Peasant

This wax and textiles relief representing 'The Poor Man Prays' is made by Bernhard Caspar Hardy (1726-1819) in Germany (Cologne) in about 1760-1800.

Hardy was one of the most important wax-modellers of his day, and these waxes exemplify his depictions of sentimental subjects, parallels of which can be found in contemporary paintings and engravings. This and the companion piece (A.1-1993) were not necessarily designed to be seen as a pair, although they are in similar frames, and may be intended to illustrate the theme of charity.