Andalusian School, Circle of JUAN DE SEVILLA ROMERO... Lot 21

Andalusian School, Circle of JUAN DE SEVILLA ROMERO (Granada, 1643-1695); second half of the 17th century. "The rich Epulon and the poor Lazarus". Oil on canvas. Re-drawn. It presents faults and relevant damages. Size: 75 x 103 cm. In this work is represented the parable of the rich Epulion and Lazarus, which is gathered in the Gospel of Luke. The story is narrated by Jesus, who tells his disciples and some Pharisees, the relationship, during life and after death, between an anonymous rich man and a poor beggar named Lazarus: "There was a rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. At his gate stood a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham in the distance, with Lazarus beside him. Then he cried out to him, Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in this fire. But Abraham answered, Son, remember that in your life you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf. He answered, "Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my family, for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment". Abraham replied, "They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them." "No, father Abraham,' he said, 'but if anyone from among the dead goes to them, they will repent. He said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced, even if someone rises from the dead'". This scene represents the moment when Lazarus, with his lacerated body, begs for alms, while the rich man, seated at the table with his five brothers, enjoys his supper, oblivious to Lazarus' suffering. The appearance of the dog, licking Lazarus' sores, has led to the similarity of the latter with the figure of Saint Roch, just as his name has sometimes been identified as Lazarus of Bethany, although the two figures are not related.