Jesus Raising Jairus’s Daughter John Lawson (1674-1711)

The composition centers around a scene of apparent mourning and miraculous intervention. A young woman lies prone on a raised platform, draped in white linens that emphasize her stillness and fragility. Her face is turned away from the viewer, obscuring expression but contributing to an overall sense of vulnerability. Surrounding her are several figures exhibiting varying degrees of emotional response.
To the left, a woman, presumably the girl’s mother, kneels beside the platform, her hands clasped in what appears to be supplication or grief. Her posture and downward gaze suggest profound distress. A man stands behind her, his face etched with worry and anxiety; he leans forward slightly, as if drawn into the unfolding event.
Dominating the right side of the scene is a central figure who approaches the girl with an outstretched hand. He wears flowing robes and has long hair and beard, typical attributes associated with religious authority. A halo encircles his head, marking him as divinely significant. His gesture – reaching towards the girl’s hand – implies an act of restoration or revival.
The setting appears to be a domestic interior, suggested by the presence of draped curtains and simple furnishings. Several small vessels are placed on a table near the platform, possibly containing oils or perfumes used in funerary rites. The color palette is muted, with a predominance of whites, browns, and blues, contributing to a solemn atmosphere.
Subtleties within the painting suggest deeper layers of meaning. The contrast between the woman’s grief and the central figures calm assurance highlights themes of faith versus despair. The girl’s passive state underscores her dependence on divine intervention. The arrangement of figures creates a visual hierarchy, emphasizing the power and authority of the central figure while simultaneously acknowledging the emotional toll taken by loss. The use of light – particularly the halo around the head of the central figure – draws attention to his role as a source of hope and salvation within this moment of profound sorrow.