Feast in the house of the Rich Man

1616

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Dominant colour

Feast in the house of the Rich Man is a 1616 by Crispijn de Passe, a Baroque work, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.

Who painted this?: Crispijn de Passe
When & what style?: 1616 · Baroque
Where can I see it?: Victoria and Albert Museum

About this work

This print shows a scene from the biblical 'Parable of the Bad Rich Man'. The setting is a sumptuous interior with people dressed fashionably and expensively. It's interesting that the print offers a glimpse into the interior of a rich man's house in the 17th century, with details like music and dancing. The print is held at the Victoria and Albert Museum, which is also where you can learn more about the Baroque movement.

The story of this work

Overview

The print depicts an opulent 17th-century interior where a wealthy gathering unfolds, featuring music, dancing, and courtship. A central female figure in fine attire faces her male dancing partner, while other couples dance and a pair of lovers converse nearby. The room showcases contemporary luxury with patterned wall coverings, paintings of Venus and Cupid, a sculptural relief, and a painted clavichord lid. A reclining nude painting appears above an alcove, and a lapdog interrupts a kneeling suitor in the foreground.

Read the full account in the museum source.

About the artist

Artist

Crispijn de Passe

This Dutch printmaker specialized in detailed engravings during the early 1600s. His work *Feast in the house of the Rich Man* (ca. 1616) shows a crowded banquet scene with sharp lines and careful textures. The image…

See the richer artist page