Lazarus bedelt voor het huis van de rijke man 1694 - 1766

Matthijs Balen rendered "Lazarus bedelt voor het huis van de rijke man" in the 18th century using pen and gray ink and gray wash. The image is a visual representation of the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, highlighting themes of social inequality and divine justice. Created during the Dutch Golden Age, a period marked by significant economic prosperity and social stratification, the work serves as a commentary on the divide between the wealthy merchant class and the impoverished. The artist uses stark visual contrasts to emphasize the imbalance of power and resources in Dutch society. The rich man feasts while Lazarus suffers at his gate. Dogs lick his sores rather than anyone tending to him with care. The parable has a long history of representation in Western art, often commissioned by religious institutions to convey moral lessons about charity and compassion. The selection of this subject by Balen suggests a progressive, or at least reformist, stance toward the institutions of his time. The historian’s role is to explore the complex interplay between religious doctrine, social reality, and artistic expression, using period sources to enhance our understanding of this drawing.