Karl Friedrich Hampe (1772-1848) painted his Gotische Kirche am Meer around 1816. Symmetrical beggars are positioned as if to ornament the base of the shallow stone steps. The beggar on the right wears a tattered soldier's uniform. I suspect he represents one of many stranded thousands cast aside sick and penniless after the Napoleonic Wars.
Anybody who is interested and wealthy should hasten at once to Berlin, where this painting is due to be auctioned tomorrow (Thursday the 30th) at Galerie Bassenge.