Opwekking van Lazarus 1506

Urs Graf created this woodcut, The Raising of Lazarus, in the early 16th century, a period marked by religious upheaval and social change. Graf, a Swiss artist and mercenary, lived through the Reformation, and his art often reflects the tensions of this era. Here, the biblical scene of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead is rendered with a keen eye for the social dynamics of the time. The crowd, with their varied expressions and costumes, brings to life the moment’s mix of awe, skepticism, and curiosity. Look at how Graf uses line and color to distinguish between the living and the resurrected, highlighting the stark contrast between life and death. The image is not just a religious narrative, but also a reflection on the human condition and the ever-present dance between faith and doubt. Think about how Graf, as both an artist and a soldier, might have grappled with these themes in his own life, and consider how this personal struggle informs the emotional depth of the work.