This print by Crispijn de Passe the Younger is one of a set of four made in 1616 to illustrate the biblical 'Parable of the Bad Rich Man' (Luke 16:19-31). The sumptuous interior is the setting for a party with music, dancing and scenes of courtship. The parable relates the story of Lazarus, a beggar who is refused food from the house of the rich man. On his death the rich man finds himself in Hell and sees Lazarus, who has also died, in Heaven. It reminds us that earthly wealth is of no consequence after death and that those who suffer in this life will receive comfort in the next.

Though a biblical print telling a particular story, the setting is full of contemporary detail. The people are dressed fashionably and expensively. The print offers us a fascinating glimpse into the interior of a luxurious 17th-century home and contemporary dress. The wall covering is patterned with a fleur-de-lis and lozenge pattern, the room is decorated with a painting and sculpture of Venus and Cupid and the lid of the clavichord is painted with a hunting scene. There is also a painting of a reclining nude in a panel above the alcove.

Dancing was an indicator of good breeding and an essential part of the education of men and women from an early age. From the later sixteenth century dancing became more formal. Dances like the Galliard, which focussed on skill and variation of footwork, were particular showcases for a man to display his prowess and masculine strength.