Artwork
Gleichnis vom reichen Mann und dem armen Lazarus
Gleichnis vom reichen Mann und dem armen Lazarus is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Leandro Bassano. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Leandro Bassano’s 1596 canvas, *Gleichnis vom reichen Mann und dem armen Lazarus*, presents a bustling interior where a group of figures engage in cooking, serving, and conversation. Central to the composition is a woman in white holding a small animal, surrounded by a menagerie of dogs, a cat, and a monkey, while a lute‑player adds a musical note to the scene.
Subject & Meaning
The painting visualizes the biblical parable of the rich man and Lazarus, contrasting wealth and poverty through a domestic tableau. The opulent activity of the well‑dressed diners juxtaposes the presence of the humble beggar figure, underscoring the moral lesson about the reversal of fortunes after death.
Technique & Style
Bassano employs pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to illuminate faces and hands while casting the surrounding space in shadow. This dramatic lighting separates the figures from a darkened background, enhancing three‑dimensionality and directing the viewer’s focus toward the narrative details within the crowded kitchen setting.
History & Provenance
Born Leandro dal Ponte in Bassano del Grappa, the artist was trained by his father, Jacopo Bassano, and worked alongside his brother Francesco Bassano the Younger. Recognized for his contributions, he later received a knighthood from the Doge of Venice, situating the work within the early Baroque period of Venetian painting.
Artist & collection
Artist
Leandro Bassano (10 June 1557 – 15 April 1622), also called Leandro dal Ponte, was an Italian Renaissance painter from Bassano del Grappa who was awarded a knighthood by the Doge of Venice.
