Lot 11: Bartholomeus van Bassen , Antwerp circa 1590 - 1652 The Hague Interior of a Palace with Elegant Figures Dining (Parable of Lazarus and the Rich Man) oil on panel

signed and dated lower right B. van Bassen/1624 oil on panel

measurements note 25 1/2 by 36 3/4 in.; 64.7 by 93.3 cm.

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE COLLECTION
The subject is from Luke 16:19-31 and tells the story of a rich man who feasted every day while a poor man, Lazarus, lay at his door starving and longing for the crumbs from his table. The dogs came and licked the sores that covered the poor man's body. Eventually both men died and Lazarus was carried to 'Abraham's bosom' while the rich man descended to Hades. In this painting, the rich man is seen at far left wearing purple robes as described in Luke; Lazarus is seen at far left admonished by a servant carrying a stick and with two dogs licking his sores. Van Bassen painted this subject on several occasions, although always varying the composition. Another example, also dated 1624, is in the Niedersächsisches Landesmuseum, Hanover (on panel, 55.4 by 86.3 cm.).