Artwork
The Daughter of Jairius
The Daughter of Jairius is an oil painting by Carl Bloch. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
This work exemplifies Bloch's mastery of chiaroscuro and his ability to infuse religious narratives with emotional immediacy and psychological depth.
Carl Bloch's The Daughter of Jairus, painted in 1863, depicts the biblical moment from the Gospel of Mark where Jesus raises the daughter of Jairus from the dead. The composition centers on the young girl lying on a bed, covered by a white sheet, while her mother, dressed in dark garments, kneels beside her holding the child's hand. A warm, directional light enters from a window in the background, illuminating the figures and casting deep shadows that heighten the dramatic tension of the scene. Two shadowy figures, likely representing Jesus and his disciples, stand near the light source, observing the miracle. The setting includes domestic details such as a red cloth and a wooden box on the floor, framed by heavy curtains that enclose the intimate space. This work exemplifies Bloch's mastery of chiaroscuro and his ability to infuse religious narratives with emotional immediacy and psychological depth. Created during a period when the artist was establishing his reputation for biblical scenes, the painting reflects his commitment to realistic detail combined with a theatrical use of light to guide the viewer's focus toward the spiritual significance of the event.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a grieving mother in a dark dress who kneels beside a bed, gently holding the hand of a young girl concealed beneath a white sheet. The scene evokes the biblical episode in which Jesus raises Jairus’s daughter from death, emphasizing themes of loss, hope, and divine intervention.
Technique & Style
Bloch employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with luminous highlights that isolate the figures from the surrounding darkness. Warm light streams through a window, illuminating the mother and child while two indistinct figures linger in the background, creating a dramatic spatial depth characteristic of the artist’s realist approach.
History & Provenance
Completed in 1863, the painting entered the national collection of Denmark and is now housed in the Statens Museum for Kunst. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s 19th‑century emphasis on acquiring works that illustrate significant religious narratives within a European artistic tradition.
Context
Bloch, a prominent Danish painter, often depicted biblical and historical subjects with a focus on human emotion. The Daughter of Jairus aligns with his broader oeuvre, which sought to render sacred stories in a relatable, domestic setting, thereby bridging the gap between scriptural events and contemporary viewers.
Artist & collection
