Raising of Lazarus with Scenes from the Life of Christ 

Editor: This print, titled "Raising of Lazarus with Scenes from the Life of Christ," doesn't have a specific date, but it's by Romeyn de Hooghe and done in etching and engraving. There's a lot going on here – it feels busy, dramatic. How do you interpret this work? Curator: It’s a fascinating convergence of narrative and symbolism. The central image, the Raising of Lazarus, is powerful, but the artist embeds it within a larger context of Christ's life. Notice the smaller scenes flanking the main event. How do they change how you feel about the image of Lazarus? Editor: I see what you mean! So, it’s not just about the miracle itself, but about the broader impact of Christ’s presence and power, or how the whole of his life is implicated in this singular miracle. Curator: Precisely. Lazarus is shrouded, death clinging to him, yet Christ's gesture is definitive. What emotional or psychological impact do you think the artist aimed for by surrounding it with the other scenes, like, for example, that depiction of a meal in the lower corner? Editor: Perhaps to remind us that even amidst death and the miraculous, life, mundane life, continues. I think I understand how de Hooghe weaves multiple stories into one image – it really reinforces the complex web of faith and humanity. Curator: Indeed. And within the Baroque style of art and architecture at the time, there was also emphasis on capturing drama and strong feeling as a signifier of faith, as opposed to rational arguments. Look at the emotions of the other figures in the main scene. Editor: Now that you mention it, their expressions really amplify the sense of awe and, honestly, a little bit of fear. Curator: This is a perfect illustration of how images carry so much cultural and psychological weight and what they leave as memory. Editor: I’ll never look at a complex historical piece the same way! Thank you.