Duccio Buoninsegna

The Kimbell acquired The Resurrection of Lazarus in 1975.  For some reason, I didn't really notice this work until our last visit in October.  Since then, I've been trying to find other Duccio works that I might have a chance to see.  I love this painting because it shows something of the real fear and the ick factor involved in popping open a four day old grave. Lazarus still looks pretty gnarly.

You can't tell from the image, but gold foil was used throughout making the painting very vivid. Evidence from x-rays indicate that the tomb was originally horizontal.  It definitely adds to the "Lazarus come forth.." for the tomb to be vertical.

In the Gospel of John, we are told that the high priest so feared what he saw that he immediately began a plan to kill Jesus.  Here is Duccio's disposition of the crucifixion.  Many of the same friends and followers are depicted in both paintings. Joseph of  Arimathaea and John are removing Christ from the cross and into the arms of his mother.  Mary is kissing his hand and Nicodemus is removing the nails from the Lord's feet.  Museo dell'Opera del Dumo, Siena.