Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

27
Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

description

Mary and Martha at the raising Lazarus -- before and after Constantine.

Transcript of Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Page 1: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Disappearing Women

at the Raising of Lazarus

Page 2: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

The Raising of Lazarus, John 11:1-45

Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. - John 11:5 (RSV)

Then Mary, when she came where Jesus was and saw him, fell at his feet.

- John 11:32a (RSV)

Page 3: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

The “Jonas sarcophagus” in the Vatican Museum, dated around 280, has the earliest scene

of the Raising of Lazarus on a sarcophagus.

Page 4: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Jesus, in the center, points at Lazarus, who is wrapped in a shroud in the doorway of his tomb.

Page 5: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Behind Jesus stands a man wearing a short toga.

Page 6: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Three women also appear to be with Jesus.

Page 7: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Mary fell at his feet.

Page 8: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

A figure stands behind Mary, in the traditional place Martha is usually depicted in this scene.

Page 9: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

The sculptor appears to have sculpted both women with long skirts.

Page 10: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

The sculptor did not depict them with head coverings.

Page 11: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

A third woman, today armless, wears a long chiton and a head covering.

Page 12: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Her clothing and her bent-knee posture suggest her lost arms may have been outspread like the Orante’s.

Page 13: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

The sculptor depicted three men and three women.

Page 14: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

This sarcophagus is dated late third century.

Very few third-century sarcophagi exist.

Page 15: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Other scenes of the raising of Lazarus are dated in the early fourth century--

after Constantine.

In these later scenes, however, two of the women disappear.

Page 16: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

On a fourth-century sarcophagus, only Mary remains.

Page 17: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

She always wears a head covering.

Page 18: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

And, she seems to shrink.

Page 19: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 20: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 21: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 22: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 23: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 24: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 25: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Back to the same scene before Constantine . . .

Page 26: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus
Page 27: Disappearing Women at the Raising of Lazarus

Art as Text

By Ally Kateusz

In honor of Elizabeth A. Clark