Lazarus at the Rich Man's Gate 1554

Heinrich Aldegrever’s “Lazarus at the Rich Man’s Gate” (1554) is a German Renaissance engraving. It depicts the biblical parable of Lazarus and the rich man, with Lazarus, a beggar, lying at the gate of a rich man who feasts lavishly with his family. This artwork is a fine example of Aldegrever's mastery of detail, as seen in the intricate rendering of the figures, furniture, and the dogs. The engraving's composition also highlights the contrast between Lazarus's poverty and the rich man’s wealth, emphasizing the moral lesson of the parable. Aldegrever was a leading printmaker in the sixteenth century, known for his engravings of portraits, landscapes, and religious subjects, and his work often included biblical scenes like this. This work is currently in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.