Artwork
Raising of Lazarus

Raising of Lazarus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jacques Callot. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Jacques Callot’s 1635 etching *Raising of Lazarus* presents a densely populated biblical scene rendered on laid paper. The composition centers on a group of figures gathered around a prone, ill man, while a dark, cavernous backdrop frames the action. Executed with Callot’s characteristic precision, the print combines narrative focus with a richly detailed environment.
Subject & Meaning
The work illustrates the moment of Lazarus’s revival, a theme drawn from the New Testament. Participants in flowing garments—some standing, others kneeling—converge on the afflicted figure, emphasizing communal concern and the miraculous nature of the event. The concentration of gestures and expressions conveys a sense of urgency and collective hope.
Technique & Style
Callot employs the etching medium to achieve fine, incisive lines that delineate both the texture of clothing and the emotional intensity of the scene. The scratchy, sharp strokes generate contrast between the figures and the shadowy interior space, while the simplified facial features retain expressive clarity. The use of laid paper adds a subtle tonal quality to the monochrome image.
History & Provenance
Created in the early Baroque period, the print belongs to Callot’s prolific output of more than a thousand etchings that document religious and contemporary subjects. As a product of the Duchy of Lorraine, it reflects the artist’s engagement with both devotional themes and the technical innovations of 17th‑century printmaking.
Context
During the 1630s, Callot’s work contributed to the broader European fascination with detailed narrative prints that could be widely disseminated. *Raising of Lazarus* exemplifies his ability to merge intricate landscape elements with human drama, a hallmark of Baroque visual storytelling that appealed to both private collectors and public audiences.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jacques Callot was a baroque printmaker and draftsman from the Duchy of Lorraine.







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