Erweckung der Tabitha durch Petrus 1829

Curator: This is Joseph von Führich’s 1829 pen and ink drawing, “Erweckung der Tabitha durch Petrus,” depicting the biblical miracle of Saint Peter resurrecting Tabitha. Editor: The first thing that strikes me is the composition's ethereal lightness. The sepia ink gives a delicate, almost dreamlike quality to the scene. There is real emotional tension conveyed. Curator: Absolutely. Von Führich was deeply influenced by Romanticism and the Nazarene movement, which sought a revival of spirituality and piety in art, emphasizing emotional expression. This narrative itself, of course, reinforces those ideals, underscoring the power of faith and divine intervention. Editor: How does Führich navigate the inherently patriarchal structures underpinning this miracle in terms of gender and agency? I find myself wondering if Tabitha's role is simply to be saved, passively positioned as a recipient of Peter's divine authority. Where does this place the other women? Curator: That’s a compelling question. Tabitha’s importance, though seemingly passive here, lies in her prior acts of charity. Her good deeds, made visible by the kneeling widows presenting garments, paved the way for the miracle, implicitly challenging simplistic power dynamics. Peter’s power isn’t just his own; it's activated by community. We also can't ignore the role of institutional religion in dictating those historical narratives, and this imagery likely reflects its influence on gendered dynamics in representations of power. Editor: And considering the history of museums themselves, who chose to display this image, and why? Was it acquired during a period of resurgent religious conservatism, reinforcing existing social structures? What about the male gaze inherent in the art's perspective? Curator: Precisely. The image circulated within specific socio-political conditions, and its continuous display or re-contextualization can be understood as a conscious effort to affirm and/or to negotiate a community's deeply rooted understanding of gender roles in their lives and world view. It continues to ignite an ongoing and challenging dialogue surrounding the confluence of faith, social agency, and visibility. Editor: That's such an interesting and nuanced perspective on what at first appears to be simply a straightforward biblical illustration. Thanks. Curator: And thank you for that critical lens.