Opwekking van de dochter van Jaïrus 1847 - 1849

Petrus Theodorus van Wijngaerdt created this print of the "Raising of Jairus' Daughter". Wijngaerdt lived and worked in the Netherlands during a period of significant religious and social change. In this scene, Wijngaerdt presents a moment of profound emotional and spiritual intensity. The story originates from the Gospels and depicts Jesus raising a young girl from the dead. Typically, representations of such scenes have a central focus on the power of Jesus. Here, Wijngaerdt departs from traditional portrayals by emphasizing the emotional responses of the figures surrounding the girl. We see grief, hope, and awe, all intertwined, reflecting the complex social fabric of the time. The artist uses the scene as a lens through which to explore themes of loss, faith, and the miraculous. The subtle gradations in the print capture the vulnerability of the human condition. It reminds us of our shared experiences of mortality, and our longing for transcendence.