"The Raising of Lazarus"

ASHLEY OFFILL, Curator of Collections

A mob of figures clusters around a man, partially draped in cloth, who reclines on the ground. They gesture in astonishment and turn to exchange glances with one another as a standing man with a starburst halo extends an open hand toward the reclining man. The figures and their surroundings are delineated with firm, confident lines, while washes in shades of brown create a sense of depth, light, and movement. This dramatic drawing depicts the raising of Lazarus—the New Testament story in which Jesus brings Lazarus back to life after he has been dead and buried for three days—a miracle that foreshadows Jesus's own resurrection.  
  
The unknown artist was clearly familiar with the iconography and theology associated with this popular subject. At the lower right, we can see the open maw of Lazarus's tomb, while Lazarus himself emerges from the winding sheet that would have covered his body. A man in the center background raises a cloth to his nose, expecting the stench of decay. Lazarus's sisters, Mary and Martha, hover anxiously over their newly revived brother as he looks up at Jesus, who extends his hand as if to help Lazarus to his feet. Jesus's gesture continues the strong diagonal composition that begins with the tomb and leads up to his left index finger pointing toward heaven, further referencing Jesus's role as savior and intermediary. 
  
The drawing is squared for transfer, meaning that a grid of lines has been added over the surface of the drawing to create consistent reference points when translating the drawing into a painting on a different surface and at a larger scale. As of this writing, a painting based on this composition has yet to be identified. However, the expressive, tightly grouped figures, closely cropped composition, and high contrast between light and dark are all characteristic of Italian paintings of the 17th century. Examples of the artist's process, like this one, are in high demand for studio art classes as well as classes interested in history and material culture. This drawing and the eight other sketches in the gift expand the Hood Museum's ability to demonstrate early stages of the artistic process and complement the many 17th-century Spanish sketches currently in the collection, while also expanding the institution's geographical and temporal reach. 
  
Provenance: Dianous Auction, Marseille, France, around 2015; sold to Kent Killelea, Washington, D.C., around 2015; given to present collection, 2024. 

Curatorial comment: I am always excited when I am able to bring a new object into the collection that allows us to explore process, materials, and techniques in new ways. This drawing demonstrates the artist's clear mastery of line, form, and shadow, thereby drawing the viewer into the creative process while also inspiring a tantalizing quest for a potential painting based on this composition. 

Click here to view this object's catalogue entry.