Artwork
The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus
The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Gabriel von Max. It dates from 1891 and is held in the collection of the Walters Art Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1891, *The Raising of the Daughter of Jairus* is an oil painting by Gabriel von Max, an Austrian‑German artist who taught history painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Executed within the post‑impressionist period, the work portrays a biblical miracle and is presently held by the Walters Art Museum.
Subject & Meaning
The composition illustrates the moment Jesus restores life to the young daughter of Jairus. A grieving mother lies on a modest bed, hands clasped in prayer, while a male figure—interpreted as either a disciple or a caretaker—holds her hands gently. The subdued setting emphasizes the spiritual intervention and the emotional gravity of the resurrection narrative.
Technique & Style
Von Max employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a soft illumination from the right to carve out the central figures against a shadowy interior. The contrast of the woman's white robe with the man's dark clothing heightens visual focus and underscores the scene’s solemn intensity. Brushwork remains tight, reflecting the post‑impressionist interest in expressive color and form.
History & Provenance
After its completion, the painting entered the collection of the Walters Art Museum, where it remains on view. Gabriel von Max, besides his painting career, amassed a notable assemblage of anthropological objects, now displayed at the Reiss Engelhorn Museum in Mannheim, indicating his broader engagement with cultural studies.
Context
The work emerges from von Max’s dual roles as academic painter and collector of ethnographic material, situating it at the intersection of religious narrative and late‑19th‑century artistic experimentation. Its biblical theme aligns with the era’s renewed interest in spiritual subjects, while the dramatic lighting reflects contemporary explorations of mood and psychological depth.
Artist & collection
Artist
Gabriel Cornelius Ritter von Max (23 August 1840 in Prague, Kingdom of Austria – 24 November 1915 in Munich) was a Prague-born Austrian-German painter, and professor of history painting at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts.
