The Rich Man and Lazarus 1879

"The Rich Man and Lazarus" is a pen and ink drawing by Helene Schjerfbeck created in 1879. The drawing depicts a scene from the Bible parable of the rich man and Lazarus, where Lazarus, a poor man, begs for scraps from the rich man's table. Schjerfbeck's drawing uses bold lines to capture the figures' expressions and gestures, highlighting the stark contrast between the rich man's prosperity and Lazarus's poverty. The artwork, created during the artist's early career, exemplifies her talent for capturing human emotion and social commentary through expressive lines and composition.