Anchored

  Lazarus and Van Gogh Many artists have tried to paint the story of Lazarus being raised from the dead. For me, my favorite is a painting by Vincent van Gogh. As many of us know, Van Gogh lived a very difficult life. Early on, he hoped to serve God. He worked as a lay preacher and missionary, but he was eventually dismissed. He struggled to find his calling. For most of his life, he was unknown, misunderstood, and poor. The Raising of Lazarus was painted while Van Gogh was in a mental hospital, during the final year of his life. He based the painting on a print by Rembrandt, but he left out Jesus out of the picture. Instead, he focused on Lazarus, weak and struggling to rise. Many believe Van Gogh saw himself in Lazarus. Perhaps that is why Lazarus has a red beard, like Van Gogh himself. How about the two women standing beside Lazarus? They are not biblical figures. They are believed to represent real people Van Gogh knew: Madame Roulin and Madame Ginoux. They were friends who ...