The Raising of Lazarus: The Smaller Plate

The Raising of Lazarus: The Smaller Plate is a powerful print created by Rembrandt (Rembrandt van Rijn) in 1642. This work is an etching, characterized by incredibly fine line work, dramatically enhanced with touches of drypoint. The drypoint technique leaves a metallic burr on the copper plate, resulting in rich, velvety shadows that give the image its profound sense of drama. This specific impression is categorized as the second of two states, suggesting minor refinements were made to the composition after the initial print edition was pulled.

The print depicts the biblical miracle where Jesus resurrects Lazarus from the dead. Unlike Rembrandt's earlier, larger treatments of this subject, this smaller etching focuses intimately on the figures gathered at the mouth of the tomb. The composition centers on Jesus, whose commanding gesture initiates the resurrection, surrounded by groups of men and women reacting with expressions ranging from terror to awe. Rembrandt employs deep shadow, typical of the Dutch Golden Age aesthetic, to heighten the dramatic effect; the scene’s light source focuses sharply on Lazarus as he begins to rise, illustrating the transformative power of the divine intervention.

Created during a highly productive period in the artist’s career, this piece demonstrates Rembrandt’s unparalleled skill in rendering intense human emotion and narrative complexity within the constraints of black and white prints. The work is held in the renowned collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a prime example of seventeenth-century Dutch graphic arts. As an historically important work, high-quality images of this masterful print are frequently made available through public domain resources, allowing for broad academic study of Rembrandt’s extensive and innovative body of etchings.