“The Little Beggar” is a genre painting created by Laura Knight in 1947. The artwork is associated with the Impressionism and Social Realism art movements. This painting depicts a poignant scene featuring a young, unclothed child with a forlorn expression standing barefoot on a patch of grass. Beside the child, a woman, possibly the child’s mother, is kneeling and extending her hands in a humble gesture. The background reveals a picturesque pastoral setting with grazing horses and a gypsy caravan, enhancing the realism of the simple, everyday scene. The use of light reflects the Impressionist influences while the subject matter poignantly captures elements of Social Realism, conveying the austerity and straightforwardness of the lives of ordinary people.
