Euryl Stevens - The raising of Lazarus

John 11: 41–44

Lazarus is in his tomb at the bottom of this painting then, in four images from right to left above that, in progressive stages of resurrection.  In the third stage, he rises in a sequence of  white-clad figures, before reaching ground level in a bright pink robe. The painting divides into two, with the bright colours of earth contrasting with the darkness of death. Jesus’s arms embrace the scene as if from the position of the viewer. Stevens gives Lazarus the face of her late father. The miracle is witnessed by a great crowd held back by policemen and clergymen.   Amongst them stand Mary and Martha who, like the figures of Lazarus and Jesus, are painted to a larger scale.  The crowd includes animal-headed figures. Stevens says these represent people with no need for religion.

Commentary based on A Guide to the Methodist Art Collection.