The Raising of Lazarus (John 11: 43-44)

Traditionally, still life and portraiture thrived in the small, yet dynamic town of Delft, later on extending to painting of the views of church and domestic interiors. Delft was the native town for many important painters, including Jan Vermeer. His friend Leonaert Bramer painted mainly religious and historical subjects. The panel with The Raising of Lazarus brings back to life a man already four days dead (John 11, 38-44). The mystery of the miracle is reflected in the semidarkness of the cave, in which we make out the outlines of the figures only with difficulty. The magic atmosphere, the strange golden light and the composition reflect Rembrandt´s influence.