The Wicked Rich and the Poor Lazarus 1878

Gustave Moreau created 'The Wicked Rich and the Poor Lazarus' using watercolor and graphite. Moreau chose watercolor to depict the social commentary in the artwork. The choice of this fluid, translucent medium is telling. Watercolor lacks the gravitas and opacity of oil paints. The artist builds up the scene in layers, creating a sense of translucence and fragility. This contrasts with the scene of the "wicked rich," emphasizing the disparity between the wealthy and the suffering Lazarus. The softness and delicacy of watercolor creates a dreamlike scene, which highlights the distance between these characters. Moreau’s use of watercolor in this religious scene blurs the lines between traditional fine art and craft, and asks us to consider the relationship between materials, making, and meaning.