Artwork
The Meeting of Christ with Martha and Mary after the Death of Lazarus
The Meeting of Christ with Martha and Mary after the Death of Lazarus is a drawing by the Baroque artist Rembrandt van Rijn. It dates from 1664 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1962.116
- Credit line
- Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
About this work
Overview
The Meeting of Christ with Martha and Mary after the Death of Lazarus is a drawing by Rembrandt, a rare example of his late work.
Subject & Meaning
The drawing depicts a scene from the Gospel of John, where Christ consoles Martha and Mary after the death of their brother Lazarus. The figures' emotional states are conveyed through their postures and facial expressions, with Christ embodying calm compassion.
Technique & Style
Rembrandt's late drawing style is characterized by a mix of rough power and tender sensitivity. The use of repeated lines for Martha's outstretched hands creates a sense of frenzied emotion, while the application of white gouache to obliterate earlier elements reveals the artist's process.
Context
The drawing showcases Rembrandt's use of chiaroscuro, a technique that employs strong contrasts between light and dark to evoke emotional depth.
Artist & collection
Artist
Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, known mononymously as Rembrandt, was a Dutch Golden Age painter, printmaker, and draughtsman.
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