Hans Bol

Emile E. Wolf, New York;
Jacobus A. Klaver, Amsterdam (bears his mark, not in Lugt, on the backing),
his sale, Amsterdam, Sotheby Mak van Waay, 10 May 1994, lot 21

London, P. & D. Colnaghi and Co. Ltd., Exhibition of Old Master Drawings, 1958, no. 40; 
Amsterdam, Bernard Houthakker, Dessins, 1959, no. 3, reproduced; 
Paris, Paul Prouté, Dessins, Estampes ...., 1961, no. 2; 
Amsterdam, Rijksprentenkabinet, Tekeningen van oude meesters. De verzameling Jacobus A. Klaver, 1993 (catalogue by Marijn Schapelhouman and Peter Schatborn), no. 2

H.G. Franz, 'Hans Bol als Landschaftszeichner', Jahrbuch des Kunsthistorichen Institutes der Universität Graz, I, 1965, no. 50a, pl.T.LII

Unframed, window mounted. Some very slight damage to each corner. A diagonal crease above the upper right corner. Some mild foxing. A small patch of white discolouration to the right of the centre of the lower edge. On the verso a patch in each corner from where the sheet appears to have been laid down. Overall the condition is fine and the ink strong.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

This exceptionally large and elaborate drawing is the third in a series of four which Bol made illustrating episodes from the story of Lazarus.  A number of years later, he himself executed prints after these drawings.  The precise dates of their publication is unclear; only one of the four is dated, the plate reproducing this drawing, in which the date 1580 has been added to the gravestone.

Although the Raising of Lazarus is by no means a rare subject in Netherlandish art, other episodes from the life of this brother of Mary and Martha are seldom depicted.  The first scene in Bol's series, the drawing of which was in the Woodner Collection in 1982, illustrates how Jesus was summoned to the sick-bed of Lazarus by the messenger of Mary and Martha.  The Victoria and Albert Museum owns the second drawing of the group, also dated 1568, which shows Jesus' arrival at the house of Lazarus.  The final episode that Bol chose to depict is The banquet at Bethania, with Mary and Martha washing the feet of Christ, his drawing of which, dated 1569, is in the P. & N. de Boer Foundation, Amsterdam.