Plaque with the Raising of Lazarus

This is “Plaque with the Raising of Lazarus,” made by Jean I Penicaud, sometime in the early 16th century. Penicaud was a master of painted enamel, a technique that allowed for incredibly vibrant and durable colors, and was often used to create luxury items for the French court and wealthy patrons. Consider the emotional intensity captured in this small object. Lazarus lies pallid and lifeless, surrounded by figures expressing a range of emotions from grief to awe. Note how the artist uses the rich colors of the enamel to heighten the drama of the scene. The faces tell the story. This is not just about witnessing a miracle; it’s about the deeply personal experience of encountering life and death. The artist captures the profound tension between the corporeal and the spiritual. This plaque invites us to reflect on the power of faith, and the ways in which art can serve to make abstract religious concepts feel immediate and deeply human.