Matei Țâmforea și icoana parabolei bogatului și a sărmanului Lazăr
Matei Țâmforea and the Icon of the Parable of the Rich Man and Poor Lazarus

Summary/Abstract: During the directorship of Alexandru Tzigara-Samurcaș, in the patrimony of what is now The National Museum of the Romanian Peasant, entered a number of 10 icons painted on glass, created by one of the most famous iconographers of Transylvania: Matei Purcariu also known as Matei Țâmforea. In addition to compositions with traditional themes as: The Holy Emperors Constantine and Helen, Doomsday, Saint Elijah, Our Lady of Sorrows, The Holy Three Hierarchs – Basil, Gregory and John, Saint Hierarch Nicholas and Holy Great Martyr Haralambie, a special theme stands out: of the parable of the rich man and poor Lazarus. Born into a family of bondmen, Matei Țâmforea is one of the leading personalities of the Transylvanian iconography, standing out through the details that highlight the contrast between the social realities existing in Transylvania in that period. The poverty in which he grew up marked him deeply, a detail that he brought foreground especially in this icon. Inspired from the New Testament, the small size icon shows, from a visual perspective, the story of the rich man that spends his time with his friends and that of the poor man full of sores.

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