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The raising of Lazarus
(1928-1929)
- Medium
- oil on canvas
- Measurements
- 244.2 × 92.1 cm
- Accession Number
- 1705-4
- Department
- International Painting
- Credit Line
- National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Felton Bequest, 1947
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of Digitisation Champion Ms Carol Grigor through Metal Manufactures Limited - Gallery location
- 19th Century European Paintings Gallery
Level 2, NGV International - About this work
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Walter Sickert exercised a significant influence upon British art in the early decades of the twentieth century. Respected for his faithfulness to technique, he adapted elements from the teachings of both Whistler and Degas to suit his own style. He wrote many essays to expound his theories of painting techniques and developed into a consummate teacher and mentor to a host of younger artists.
Sickert’s Lazarus exemplifies his very modern approach to painting. He was inspired by a large lay figure that he acquired and saw its potential for the biblical narrative of the Lazarus story when he witnessed it being carried up his stairs. He then engaged a model to pose as Lazarus’ sister then asked a photographer to record the scene which he then used as the basis for his strikingly radical painting. He made many versions of this work and by coincidence three of them are in Australian collections.
- Subjects (general)
- Ceremonial and Funerary Human Figures Religion and Mythology
- Subjects (specific)
- chiaroscuro corpses (bodies) deaths miracles Raising of Lazarus (miracle, Christian iconography) resurrection (doctrinal concept) shrouds sisters (siblings)