Raising of Lazarus 1620 - 1656

Editor: This print, "Raising of Lazarus," created sometime between 1620 and 1656 by Laurent de La Hyre, captures such a powerful biblical moment. There’s almost a frantic energy to the figures despite the delicate linework. How do you interpret the visual symbols at play here? Curator: This image resonates deeply with the historical memory of the Baroque period. Notice how La Hyre uses Lazarus's semi-nude body, not for sensuality, but as a potent symbol of vulnerability and rebirth. The surrounding figures express emotions from disbelief to reverence. Lazarus is brought back from a state that represented ultimate separation, but with this miracle he also re-enters society. Do you see how their gestures invite the viewer to consider their own mortality and faith? Editor: That's a compelling point about vulnerability and faith. I hadn't considered Lazarus’s nudity in that light. It seems significant then that he is surrounded and supported by a community of faith. Curator: Exactly! And note the ruined architectural setting, juxtaposing earthly decay with spiritual renewal. La Hyre uses it to underscore a world of constant flux, a hallmark of Baroque thought. Consider what it means to resurrect into such a broken world: perhaps not to escape suffering, but to bear witness. Editor: It’s fascinating to consider how La Hyre uses familiar biblical themes to reflect Baroque sensibilities around mortality and spirituality. Thank you for enriching my understanding of this piece! Curator: My pleasure. By decoding visual cues, we can access how artists of the past made sense of their world, and, perhaps, better understand our own.