Click here (bible-topten.com) to view numerous portraits of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead (John 11)... What are your observations/thoughts regarding how the very same Biblical story can be depicted in such varying manners and moods?
7 comments:
Anonymous
said...
The paintings are very interesting and different. This could be because of the constant changes in the oral telling of the story of Lazarus. I found the one titled " 'Christ in the House of Mary and Martha' " interesting since they depict Martha with a Pig in her kitchen. This would have never been inside a Hebrew kitchen.
I really enjoy the different depictions. I find it very interesting to see the interpretations in artistic forms. I think the different artistic takes on the same story supports clearly what is true for many other Biblical stories - that many people interpret them quite differently... the interpretation regarding content, what verses are read together, and the tone understood from the writing can all produce very different interpretations and imagery. On the specific artistic interpretations at hand, I find 'Kitchen scene with Christ in the house of Martha and Mary' by Velázquez, and 'Sleeping Lazarus ' by Zmurko particularly beautiful.
I've always thought that art was one of the greatest forms to tell a story and since everyone is different, the renderings will show that. I really liked and enjoyed looking at all of the different paintings depicting this one tale. I think my favorite one out of all of them was Martha and Mary by William Blake because it shows equality between the sexes and that he didn't make God a superior being in the painting, he made him the same as everyone else in the scene.
All of those portraits, all though pertaining to the same story, all seem to be portrayed a little bit different. Some show Lazarus coming out of the grave still mummified, which is kind of what I imagine when I read the story. Others seem to be showing that others were helping him to his feet which I don't believe is an accurate portrayal because if Jesus commanded him to come forth, I don't think he needed any help. Now the idea that Jesus and Lazarus was having a conversation afterwards, may be a possibility. :)
I thought that the main difference between the works of art was really just based in the art movements of the time or where the artist came from (example with the Japanese artist). Art styles I think are independent in terms of remaining true to the depiction of the stories. Overall there was variation between the artist's interpretations, but they followed the same idea present in the Bible. Like with Mary and Martha, Mary is always with Jesus and Martha always in the background.
I think that just as with anything else, the reading of a story can create dramatically different images in the minds of its readers. Art is fluid and subject to change. Each depiction captures a particular aspect of the story that the artist picked up on. For instance, Dali emphasized the light and the resurrection of Lazarus by using color and structural elements. In short: I think that the images are awesome and their variety speaks to the ability of art to tell a story and appeal to human emotion.
7 comments:
The paintings are very interesting and different. This could be because of the constant changes in the oral telling of the story of Lazarus. I found the one titled " 'Christ in the House of Mary and Martha' " interesting since they depict Martha with a Pig in her kitchen. This would have never been inside a Hebrew kitchen.
Bob
I really enjoy the different depictions. I find it very interesting to see the interpretations in artistic forms. I think the different artistic takes on the same story supports clearly what is true for many other Biblical stories - that many people interpret them quite differently... the interpretation regarding content, what verses are read together, and the tone understood from the writing can all produce very different interpretations and imagery.
On the specific artistic interpretations at hand, I find 'Kitchen scene with Christ in the house of Martha and Mary' by Velázquez, and 'Sleeping Lazarus ' by Zmurko particularly beautiful.
Lauren
The paintings were beautiful.
I say that the painting Christ in the house- is very unJewish because of the pig.
I really enjoyed Christ in the house of Martha and Mary 1886,
Mary and Martha by Nathan Greene and The Raising of Lazarus 1630.
Lisa
I've always thought that art was one of the greatest forms to tell a story and since everyone is different, the renderings will show that. I really liked and enjoyed looking at all of the different paintings depicting this one tale.
I think my favorite one out of all of them was Martha and Mary by William Blake because it shows equality between the sexes and that he didn't make God a superior being in the painting, he made him the same as everyone else in the scene.
Saryn
All of those portraits, all though pertaining to the same story, all seem to be portrayed a little bit different. Some show Lazarus coming out of the grave still mummified, which is kind of what I imagine when I read the story. Others seem to be showing that others were helping him to his feet which I don't believe is an accurate portrayal because if Jesus commanded him to come forth, I don't think he needed any help. Now the idea that Jesus and Lazarus was having a conversation afterwards, may be a possibility. :)
Katrina
I thought that the main difference between the works of art was really just based in the art movements of the time or where the artist came from (example with the Japanese artist). Art styles I think are independent in terms of remaining true to the depiction of the stories. Overall there was variation between the artist's interpretations, but they followed the same idea present in the Bible. Like with Mary and Martha, Mary is always with Jesus and Martha always in the background.
Sydney
I think that just as with anything else, the reading of a story can create dramatically different images in the minds of its readers. Art is fluid and subject to change. Each depiction captures a particular aspect of the story that the artist picked up on. For instance, Dali emphasized the light and the resurrection of Lazarus by using color and structural elements. In short: I think that the images are awesome and their variety speaks to the ability of art to tell a story and appeal to human emotion.
Sophie
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