The Rich Man and the Poor Lazarus

In this dramatic painting, Hendrick ter Brugghen brings to life the biblical parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus with striking contrasts. The scene is split between two distinct worlds: on the left, a lavish feast unfolds in a dimly lit interior, while on the right, Lazarus lies suffering in a desolate courtyard. The rich man, oblivious to the plight outside his door, is surrounded by opulence, his table laden with food and drink. Ter Brugghen uses intense chiaroscuro, a technique he picked up in Italy, to heighten the emotional impact, casting deep shadows and illuminating key figures with a stark, almost theatrical glow. This painting, created around 1625, powerfully conveys the moral lesson of compassion and the consequences of indifference, pulling the viewer into the stark reality of the story.