The Raising of Lazarus: Small Plate

The Raising of Lazarus: Small Plate is a significant religious print created by Rembrandt van Rijn in 1642. This profound work exemplifies the artist’s mature mastery of the etching medium, utilizing controlled, dense cross-hatching and fine lines impressed upon laid paper to capture the dramatic biblical narrative of Christ’s miracle. Produced during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, within the key artistic period spanning 1601 to 1650, Rijn explores the subject with a focus on psychological intensity and concentrated light.

In this smaller, later rendering, Rijn focuses intently on the moment of divine intervention. The figure of Christ stands commandingly near the mouth of the tomb, directing his gesture and light toward the interior. The deep, inky shadows surrounding the cave entrance heighten the sense of drama and underscore the miraculous nature of the event, drawing the viewer’s eye immediately to the figure of Lazarus, who begins to stir from his shroud. The technical brilliance required to achieve such a stark contrast between light and absolute darkness using only the etching needle demonstrates Rijn’s evolving skill as a printmaker. Unlike his earlier, often expansive depictions of this story, this piece achieves intimacy and powerful emotional depth through economical use of line and profound chiaroscuro effects.

As one of the most celebrated and prolific printmakers of the 17th century, Rijn ensured his theological and visual insights reached a wide audience through the circulation of his prints. This impressive impression of The Raising of Lazarus: Small Plate is housed in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. The continued study and appreciation of these historical prints are aided by institutions that make the images available through initiatives that place high-resolution copies within the public domain, ensuring widespread scholarly access to the inventive techniques of this Baroque master.