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.