Who painted Resurrection of Lazarus?

Resurrection of Lazarus was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1619.

Where can I see Resurrection of Lazarus?

Resurrection of Lazarus is held by Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

What movement is Resurrection of Lazarus?

Resurrection of Lazarus is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Can I buy a print of Resurrection of Lazarus?

Museum-quality prints of Resurrection of Lazarus are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Resurrection of Lazarus

Peter Paul Rubens , 1619

Resurrection of Lazarus is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1619 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

According to the catalogue record, the work shows a man alongside Jesus Christ and Lazarus of Bethany, identifying the three principal figures of the episode.

The painting depicts the Raising of Lazarus, the New Testament miracle in which Jesus Christ raises Lazarus of Bethany from the dead. According to the catalogue record, the work shows a man alongside Jesus Christ and Lazarus of Bethany, identifying the three principal figures of the episode. The scene belongs to the religious genre, presenting the biblical narrative as a subject of devotional painting.

The miracle, recorded in the Gospel of John, was a common theme in Counter-Reformation art, used to demonstrate Christ's divine power over death and to prefigure his own resurrection. By focusing on this moment, Rubens's composition emphasizes the act of faith and divine intervention central to the miracle story.

Technique & Style

The work was executed in oil on canvas, a standard support for Rubens' large-scale religious paintings of the early 17th century. Contemporary accounts describe his handling of oil paint with vigorous brushwork that emphasizes chiaroscuro and dynamic composition, particularly in the depiction of the resurrected figure emerging from the tomb. The painting's formal qualities include a dramatic pyramidal arrangement of figures, intense emotional expression, and a richly textured surface that conveys both the physicality of the bodies and the spiritual significance of the miracle.

History & Provenance

Peter Paul Rubens's Resurrection of Lazarus is dated to 1619, with the work's inception recorded across 1619 and 1620. The painting was held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, housed at the Bode Museum. According to the Wikidata record, the work is classified as a lost painting by Rubens, indicating that despite its documented institutional ownership in Berlin, the canvas is no longer extant.

No further details about an original commission, prior owners, or transfer history are documented in the available sources.

The painting Resurrection of Lazarus by Peter Paul Rubens is associated with the Gemäldegalerie Berlin, where it is listed in the collection of the Bode Museum. The work is currently described as lost, indicating it is not on public display despite its institutional attribution. Its accession records link it to the early 17th century, with inception dates cited as January 1, 1619, or the year 1620.

The inventory details the medium as oil on canvas with dimensions of 263 cm in height and 196 cm in width. No specific exhibition history is provided in the available records, consistent with its status as a lost work.

Overview

Painted in 1619 by the Flemish artist Peter Paul Rubens, this oil work portrays the biblical miracle in which Jesus restores Lazarus to life. Executed during the height of the Flemish Baroque, the canvas combines vigorous movement with a tightly organized group of onlookers, directing attention to the central act of resurrection.