Artwork
The raising of Lazarus (copy)
The raising of Lazarus (copy) is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
This oil painting, dating to approximately 1700, reproduces a composition by Sir Peter Paul Rubens, the preeminent figure of Flemish Baroque art. The work belongs to the collection of the Rijksmuseum and exemplifies the theatrical visual language that defined Rubens's circle and influence.
Subject & Meaning
The surrounding figures react with varied emotion: some kneel in reverence, others recoil or struggle, their faces registering hope, fear, and wonder.
The scene illustrates the biblical resurrection of Lazarus, a miracle drawn from the Gospel of John. At the center, a figure in brilliant red—presumably Christ—extends his arm toward the entombed Lazarus, who lies bound in grave cloths. The surrounding figures react with varied emotion: some kneel in reverence, others recoil or struggle, their faces registering hope, fear, and wonder. This emotional diversity typifies Baroque religious narrative, inviting the viewer to witness spiritual drama through human response.
Technique & Style
The painter employs pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing a concentrated light to illuminate the red-robed central figure against a shadowed forest backdrop. Deep browns and muted greens dominate the wooded setting, while the saturated red commands visual attention and establishes hierarchical focus. The composition pulses with movement: bodies twist, kneel, and reach in varied poses that create diagonal energy across the canvas. These qualities—dramatic lighting, saturated color accents, and dynamic figural arrangement—reflect the Baroque sensibility Rubens pioneered.
History & Provenance
Produced around 1700, this canvas functions as a copy rather than an autograph work by Rubens himself. Such reproductions played a significant role in disseminating Rubens's compositions across Europe in the decades following his death in 1640. The painting entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it serves as documentary evidence of Rubens's enduring artistic influence and the sustained demand for his imagery.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Peter Paul Rubens ( ROO-bənz; Dutch: ; 28 June 1577 – 30 May 1640) was a Flemish artist and diplomat.
