Raising of Lazarus

Art Historical Context

This evocative drawing, *Raising of Lazarus*, an anonymous work by a German artist from the 18th century (or possibly early 19th), crafted in black chalk on an intimate oval sheet measuring 11 3/4 x 9 3/8 inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Department of Drawings and Prints, entered the collection as a gift from Cephas G. Thompson in1887. The oval format, uncommon for sketches but favored in devotional art, draws viewers into the dramatic biblical scene from the Gospel of John, Jesus resurrects his friend Lazarus, surrounded by mourning figures including men, women, and saints like Martha and Mary. Black chalk, a versatile medium prized in the 18th century for its soft tonal range, allows the artist to convey profound emotion through subtle shading and dynamic gestures—capturing the awe, grief, and miracle at the tomb's entrance. In German art of this era, such religious subjects reflected deep Catholic traditions amid the Baroque and Rococo influences, emphasizing faith's triumph over death. This preparatory drawing likely served devotional or study purposes, inviting contemplation of resurrection's hope. Though unattributed, its technical finesse highlights anonymous masters' skill in Northern European workshops, making it a poignant window into 18th-century piety and draftsmanship.