Fragment of a book cover
To the utter astonishment of the viewer, an ivory that has been preserved in public museums in Berlin has an amazingly varied and clear composition showing nine people on a 10.5 x 8.8 cm space. The representation focuses - instead of describing the scene as broadly as possible - on the moment in which Jesus calls Lazarus out of the grave. The removal of the stone and bandages, and the moment when Lazarus steps out of the grave are not the main feature, but the moment of his return to life. Jesus is shown standing on the left, accompanied by three disciples, and he is extending his arm in the direction of the grave. Lazarus stands in the opening of the grave and is unaided by anyone. His view is directed toward Jesus and he ignores the people standing beside the grave (including the fact that one of them wrinkles his nose in disgust). The emphasis is on the result of the request by Jesus, Lazarus, come out!. The reactions of the people stadning around differ: the disciples are in discussion, the sisters of Lazarus are praying and others are merely observers of the event, for example reacting to the smell of the corpse. The intelligently composed representation has a use for all nine people represented. Unfortunately, it’s not known for what kind of manuscript the Byzantine relief of 10th century was made or used. An Evangeliar would seem very suitable.