Attributed to Santi di Tito – The resurrection of the daughter of Jairus Kunsthistorisches Museum

Here we observe a scene unfolding within what appears to be a domestic interior, though one imbued with considerable solemnity. The composition is structured around a central figure who bends over a bed where a young girl lies still. He wears a simple tunic and beard, his posture conveying both authority and compassion as he reaches towards the child.
The arrangement of figures suggests a narrative moment of high drama. A distraught woman stands beside the bed, her hands clasped in apparent supplication or grief. A man, presumably her husband, is positioned near her, exhibiting an expression that blends anxiety with hope. Several other men are clustered around them, their faces registering a mixture of concern and reverence. One figure, standing to the left, gestures towards the central figure, seemingly indicating or explaining something.
Above, two cherubic figures float amongst draped fabric, lending a celestial quality to the scene. Their presence reinforces the sense that this is not merely a domestic event but one touched by divine intervention. A small dog at the bottom of the composition adds an element of earthly realism and perhaps underscores the fragility of life. The tiled floor contributes to the overall impression of a well-appointed, though somewhat austere, setting.
The color palette is dominated by warm tones – reds, yellows, and browns – which contribute to the emotional intensity of the moment. The light source appears to be coming from an unseen window on the left, illuminating the central figures and casting shadows that deepen the sense of drama.
Subtly, the artist has employed a hierarchical arrangement of figures. The central figure is clearly the focal point, drawing the viewers eye immediately. The woman’s posture suggests her dependence on this figure for resolution. The inclusion of the dog introduces an element of everyday life, contrasting with the elevated spiritual nature of the event. The architectural setting, while seemingly mundane, frames the action and provides a sense of enclosure, intensifying the emotional impact of what is taking place.