On 3 May 1890, Vincent van Gogh sent a letter to his brother Theo that included his sketch of The Raising of Lazarus, based on an etching by Rembrandt that Theo had sent.
“Once more I write to say that my health continues to be good, however I feel a bit exhausted by this long attack and I dare think that the projected change will refresh my ideas all the more… .
“The etchings which you sent me are very fine. On the back of this page I have scribbled a sketch after a painting I have done of three figures which are in the background of the etching of “Lazarus”: the dead man and his two sisters.”