Rijke man en Lazarus 1523 - 1533

Jan Swart van Groningen rendered this drawing, "Rich Man and Lazarus," in the 16th century, capturing a biblical scene rife with potent symbols. At the heart of this image, we observe a stark dichotomy: the rich man revels in opulence, while Lazarus suffers, his sores licked by dogs—a poignant symbol of destitution and societal neglect. This scene is heavy with religious and cultural implications, particularly concerning divine justice and moral reckoning. Note the dogs. Often, dogs are seen as symbols of loyalty, but here, their act of licking Lazarus' wounds represents a deep sense of abandonment. Consider how this symbol has been reconfigured in diverse cultural narratives over centuries, reflecting evolving societal attitudes towards compassion and indifference. The rich man’s detachment, mirrored in countless depictions of power, contrasts sharply with Lazarus’s vulnerability, engaging our deepest subconscious fears of abandonment. The power of the scene comes from its ability to connect with our own buried anxieties about social injustice. This cyclical resurgence across various cultural forms underscores humanity's enduring struggle with themes of wealth, poverty, and moral responsibility.