The Raising Of Lazarus c. 1610 - 1615

Joachim Wtewael painted *The Raising of Lazarus*, a depiction of a miracle, steeped in the cultural and religious fervor of the late 16th and early 17th centuries. Wtewael, living in a time of religious conflict and reformation, infuses this biblical scene with an emotional intensity. Lazarus emerges, pale and vulnerable, from his tomb, while onlookers react with a mixture of awe, disbelief, and visceral horror. The artist masterfully plays with gendered expectations; women are depicted as overcome with emotion and are physically supporting Lazarus, while men look on in disbelief. Wtewael seems to challenge us to consider the relationship between faith, spectacle, and the human body. The painting becomes more than just a religious depiction; it's an exploration of human vulnerability, doubt, and the power of belief in a world on the cusp of dramatic change. It reflects the deeply personal and often fraught relationship people had with religion during this transformative period.