The Raising of Lazarus

The Raising of Lazarus by Jean Jouvenet

The Artist: Jean Jouvenet

Jean Jouvenet (1644–1717) stands as one of the most prominent French Baroque painters of the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Born in Rouen into a family of artists, Jouvenet’s early talent led him to Paris, where he would ultimately become a member and later a professor at the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture. His artistic career was closely aligned with religious commissions, notably for churches and royal institutions, showcasing his mastery in large-scale compositions and dynamic figuration. Jouvenet’s works are often noted for their expressive movement, dramatic use of light, and ability to convey complex biblical narratives with clarity and emotional depth.

Historical Context

The late 17th century in France was a period marked by the dominance of the Baroque style, particularly under the reign of Louis XIV. The Catholic Church, responding to the Counter-Reformation, encouraged artists to create powerful religious imagery that would inspire faith and devotion among viewers. "The Raising of Lazarus" was perfectly suited to this context—its dramatic subject and spiritual message fit the Church’s mission, while the grandeur of Jouvenet’s composition matched the period’s artistic ambitions.

Religious commissions such as "The Raising of Lazarus" were not only acts of devotion but also statements of personal and institutional prestige. Paintings like these adorned prominent churches and chapels, contributing significantly to the visual culture of 17th-century France and reinforcing both the authority of the Church and the monarchy.

Religious and Cultural Significance

The story of the Raising of Lazarus is found in the Gospel of John (John 11:1-44), narrating one of Christ’s most astonishing miracles: bringing Lazarus back to life after four days in the tomb. For believers, this event prefigured Christ’s own resurrection and symbolized both divine power and the promise of eternal life, central tenets in Christian doctrine.

Jouvenet's depiction of the subject thus carried immense religious weight. It was intended to evoke awe and reinforce faith in Christ's divine nature. The episode also held allegorical significance, representing spiritual rebirth and the triumph of life over death. In the cultural setting of post-Reformation France, such images worked as visible affirmations of orthodox belief, countering any lingering doubts or heresies.

Symbolism and Iconography

Jouvenet’s interpretation of "The Raising of Lazarus" is deeply rooted in traditional Christian iconography while showcasing his unique touch. Central to the scene is Christ, often shown with an authoritative gesture, commanding Lazarus to rise. Around him gather a crowd of witnesses, each responding with wonder, fear, or gratitude—their gestures and expressions guiding the viewer’s engagement with the miracle.

Symbolic elements abound:

• Lazarus' Burial Wrappings: The strips of cloth signify death and subsequently, in their removal, liberation from mortality.
• Mourners: The inclusion of Martha and Mary, Lazarus’ sisters, underscores themes of faith and hope. Their varied reactions—one contemplative, one emotional—mirror different human responses to divine intervention.
• Light and Shadow: Jouvenet uses dramatic chiaroscuro to accentuate the spiritual awakening embodied by Lazarus, casting Christ as the light dispelling the darkness of death.

Flowers, architectural background, and even bystanders' gestures communicate nuanced theological ideas: mortality, resurrection, and the power of Christ.

Artistic Techniques

Jouvenet's mastery is evident in his dynamic composition and robust use of color and form. Characteristic of the Baroque style, the painting is animated with swirling draperies, gesturing arms, and expressive faces that lead the viewer’s eye inexorably toward the central miracle.

Key techniques include:

• Dramatic Composition: Jouvenet builds the scene in a triangular arrangement, with figures clustered tightly for emotional intensity and narrative focus.
• Expressive Gestures: Each participant’s movement is carefully choreographed, contributing to the overall sense of drama and immediacy.
• Chiaroscuro: Strategic contrasts between light and dark heighten the scene’s emotional tone and draw attention to Christ as the source of miraculous power.
• Color Palette: The artist employs a rich but restrained palette, emphasizing earth tones and vibrant whites to mark supernatural intervention and sanctity.

These artistic choices underscore Jouvenet’s ability to render complex, multi-figure arrangements with both clarity and emotive force.

Cultural Impact

Jouvenet’s “The Raising of Lazarus” became highly admired during his lifetime and beyond, marking him as a major contributor to French religious painting. His ability to convey sacred narratives with theatricality and empathy influenced not only his contemporaries but also subsequent generations of church painters in France.

The painting served as a didactic and devotional image, teaching viewers about the possibility of redemption and the reality of Christ’s power. Its compelling composition and emotional realism made it resonant for audiences, ensuring its continued display and study in both ecclesiastical and artistic contexts.

Moreover, works like this strengthened the ideological objectives of the Catholic Church in the era of religious conflict, visually communicating the mysteries of faith and the glory of God to an illiterate or semi-literate populace. Jouvenet’s approach remains a reference point for the depiction of biblical miracles, reflecting the enduring power of Baroque religious art.

Sources

1. National Gallery, London. "The Raising of Lazarus by Jean Jouvenet."
2. The Grove Dictionary of Art. "Jouvenet, Jean." Oxford Art Online.
3. Bailey, Gauvin Alexander. Baroque & Rococo. Phaidon Press, 2012.
4. Cuzin, Jean-Pierre. French Painting in the 17th Century. Yale University Press, 1995.
5. Schama, Simon. Power of Art. BBC Books, 2006.