SACRED ART IN 100 WORDS

The Raising of Lazarus
Giotto
1304 – 1306
Scrovegni Chapel, Padua

The painting illustrates the famous miracle of life. Two groups huddle on either side. The group to our right seeks life, while the one to our left represents the Giver of life. Mary and Martha serve as a prayerful bridge between the two groups.
The artist reveals human emotions through facial expressions. Notice the man dressed in green. While he raises his right hand in request towards Christ, he turns in astonishment to face the miracle behind him.
At the call of Christ, Lazarus, wrapped in a shroud, walks out. The women closest to the grave shelter their noses from the stench of death. Through this the artist conveys that death can never have the last word because Love is always stronger than death.