Opwekking van Lazarus 1797

Reinier Vinkeles created this engraving, "Opwekking van Lazarus," capturing a pivotal biblical moment. Dominating the scene, Christ raises his hand, a gesture resonating with divine power and invoking life. This motif of the raised hand appears across cultures, from ancient Roman oratory to depictions of pagan gods, always signifying authority, benediction, or intervention. Consider the "Adlocutio" pose of Roman emperors, mirroring Christ’s gesture. Here, the act transcends mere command; it embodies a profound psychological yearning to defy mortality. The figures around Lazarus, caught between grief and awe, reflect humanity’s eternal dance with death and resurrection. The engraving evokes the deep, often subconscious desire to overcome mortality. This symbol—the revitalizing gesture—reappears throughout art history, each time echoing our collective memory and hope. It highlights how symbols evolve, carrying layers of meaning across time.