Raising of Lazarus c. 17th century

Editor: This is Giovanni Battista Pasqualini's "Raising of Lazarus." The expressions are dramatic, theatrical almost. What do you make of the composition, with Christ in the upper left and Lazarus dominating the lower center? Curator: It speaks to the power of the Church at the time. Pasqualini uses the biblical narrative to reinforce the visual authority of religious figures. How does the architecture in the background contribute to this narrative? Editor: It seems to box them in, limiting their space as Lazarus rises. Curator: Precisely. Consider how prints like these were circulated. They weren't just art; they were propaganda, shaping public perception and reinforcing societal hierarchies. Editor: So, it's not just a miracle, it's a statement about power. I'll keep that in mind.