The Raising of Lazarus - Jacob Hogers

A seventeenth-century ink and wash drawing by Jacob Hogers depicting the biblical miracle of the raising of Lazarus.

This drawing by Jacob Hogers depicts the biblical narrative of the raising of Lazarus. Executed in 1646, the work demonstrates the artist's engagement with the dramatic chiaroscuro and expressive figure work common in the Dutch Golden Age. Hogers employs pen and brown ink alongside grey wash to construct a scene of high emotional tension. The composition centres on Christ, whose raised arm directs the viewer's attention toward the tomb, while the surrounding figures react with varied gestures of astonishment and reverence.

The use of wash creates a sense of depth and volume, allowing the figures to emerge from the background through subtle gradations of tone. Hogers focuses on the interaction between the central miracle and the witnesses, capturing the psychological weight of the event. The architectural elements in the background are rendered with minimal detail, ensuring the focus remains on the human drama unfolding in the foreground. The artist's signature and date are visible at the bottom, confirming the provenance of this seventeenth-century study.

As a fine art print, this piece retains the delicate qualities of the original ink and wash technique. The monochromatic palette allows for a focus on the draughtsmanship and the fluid application of the wash. It is a representative example of the religious subject matter that occupied many artists of the period, reflecting the stylistic conventions of the time while maintaining a distinct personal touch in the handling of the figures. The work is suitable for those interested in the history of Dutch drawing and the evolution of biblical illustration during the seventeenth century.