The Raising of Lazarus 

Carl Bloch painted The Raising of Lazarus sometime in the late nineteenth century. In it, we see Jesus calling Lazarus back from the dead, a key event in the New Testament. Bloch was Danish, and he made this painting during a time of great religious and social change in Europe. As nations developed, so did their state religions. Denmark became Lutheran and commissioned Bloch to paint religious works. The way Bloch depicts the scene is interesting. Look at the people. They're not just biblical figures; they're also everyday people with different reactions to what's happening. Some are in awe, others are skeptical. This reflects the real mix of beliefs and doubts that were present in the 1800s, as traditional religious beliefs met modern ideas. To understand this painting better, look at the history of religion in Europe and the role of art within the church. Consider what it meant to portray religious stories in a time of huge social shifts. Studying these contexts helps us see how art interacts with and reflects the culture around it.