Bartholomeus van Bassen

Panel is cradled. under a dirty varnish. there is a horizontal panel join visible to naked eye which runs across background architecture. there are several areas of paint loss (as can be seen in catalogue photograph): above man's head at far left, some in center background and some in banister at far right. a few minor surface scratches in foregound on dog. otherwise, there is excellent retention of the paint surface with lovely detail throughout. Under ultraviolet: some retouching along join. possible retouching to face of page in foreground. In a gilt wood frame with velvet liner.
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NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

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.).