Banquet of the rich man and Lazarus, set in a loggia within a landscape
The print depicts a parable from the Gospel of Luke (16:19-31) that relates the story of a rich man who everyday feasted, while a poor man, Lazarus, waited starving at his gate. Upon his death, Lazarus was carried to Abraham’s side, whereas the rich man was sent to hell. In this print, attended by servants, the rich man feasts inside a loggia while outside the scantily dressed Lazarus leans weakly on his staff and dogs lick at the sores on his feet and legs.
The print is based on a pen and ink drawing by Domenico Campagnola (ca. 1550–55) now in collection of the Morgan Library and Museum, New York (IV,64). The print closely follows the drawing and there are only minor differences. Campagnola was one of the most influential landscape artists of the sixteenth century and the Banquet exemplifies his tendency to emphasize landscape over narrative. A wide stream in the foreground leads the viewer into lush landscape with a working mill beyond. To enrich the biblical narrative Campagnola adds details to the composition such as the three figures in the centre and those in the boat at left.
It is not known who engraved this print but it was possibly through a commission from Bertelli. He was a book and print dealer and publisher active in Padua and Venice who began to publish single sheet prints from about 1565. The Banquet belongs to a group of three prints relating to the parable, all of which carry Bertelli’s name (one identifying Campagnola as inventor of the composition). It is clear that Bertelli and Campagnola were close collaborators.
The print is based on a pen and ink drawing by Domenico Campagnola (ca. 1550–55) now in collection of the Morgan Library and Museum, New York (IV,64). The print closely follows the drawing and there are only minor differences. Campagnola was one of the most influential landscape artists of the sixteenth century and the Banquet exemplifies his tendency to emphasize landscape over narrative. A wide stream in the foreground leads the viewer into lush landscape with a working mill beyond. To enrich the biblical narrative Campagnola adds details to the composition such as the three figures in the centre and those in the boat at left.
It is not known who engraved this print but it was possibly through a commission from Bertelli. He was a book and print dealer and publisher active in Padua and Venice who began to publish single sheet prints from about 1565. The Banquet belongs to a group of three prints relating to the parable, all of which carry Bertelli’s name (one identifying Campagnola as inventor of the composition). It is clear that Bertelli and Campagnola were close collaborators.
Artwork Details
- Title: Banquet of the rich man and Lazarus, set in a loggia within a landscape
- Printmaker: Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
- Artist: After Domenico Campagnola (Italian, Venice (?) 1500–1564 Padua)
- Publisher: Luca Bertelli (Italian, active 1564–89)
- Date: ca 1565–89
- Medium: Engraving and etching (offset of another print on verso)
- Dimensions: Sheet: 10 1/8 × 15 1/16 in. (25.7 × 38.3 cm)
Plate: 9 15/16 × 14 7/8 in. (25.2 × 37.8 cm) - Classification: Prints
- Credit Line: The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, The Elisha Whittelsey Fund, 2022
- Object Number: 2022.351
- Curatorial Department: Drawings and Prints
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
1559
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
16th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
16th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
16th century
Anonymous, Italian, 16th century
16th century
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.