Opwekking van Lazarus en de rijke jongeling verlaat Chistus 1791

Editor: So, this engraving from 1791 by Jacob Folkema, titled "Opwekking van Lazarus en de rijke jongeling verlaat Christus"— "The raising of Lazarus and the rich young man leaves Christ," I think...It has a rather stark quality to it, despite the drama unfolding in each panel. What jumps out at you when you look at this work? Curator: Well, viewing this through a historical lens, it's fascinating to see how religious narratives are used, particularly within the public sphere. Consider the context: the late 18th century, a period of Enlightenment and revolution. How might images like this reinforce social structures or moral codes? Do these depictions encourage certain behaviors, or perhaps subtly critique societal values of wealth and faith? Editor: That’s a great point! I hadn't thought about the potential for social commentary. It seems very straight forward. Curator: The choice of biblical scenes is interesting, right? Why Lazarus, and why the rich young man? These stories highlight themes of resurrection and sacrifice, and the renunciation of material wealth in favour of something higher. How might these stories resonate with an audience grappling with social inequality and revolutionary ideas? Is there a deliberate tension being created between the sacred narrative and everyday concerns? Editor: So you're saying it's not just about the stories themselves, but how they’re being presented and consumed within a particular social climate? Curator: Exactly! And how the very act of reproducing and distributing these prints impacts the artwork’s meaning and reach. Who would have owned this? How would it have been displayed, and discussed? These kinds of engravings could influence moral education. What are your thoughts on how this would resonate today? Editor: Thinking about that makes me reconsider the potential power an image like this could hold. Thanks, it really opened my eyes! Curator: Indeed. And thinking through these contexts highlights how crucial it is to understand not just what art *is*, but what it *does*, within society.