"This is one of the few paintings by Vincent van Gogh on a biblical theme. It shows Lazarus just after having been risen from the dead. .... Van Gogh was staying in a mental hospital in Saint-Rémy when he painted this work. It is based on an etching by Rembrandt that his brother Theo had sent him. Van Gogh left Jesus out of the picture and focused on Lazarus and the two sisters. Some think Lazarus' face is a self-portrait, because of the beard." http://www.artbible.info/art/large/462.html