Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Albrecht Altdorfer. It dates from 1513 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Albrecht Altdorfer’s woodcut titled *The Resurrection* was produced circa 1513 on laid paper. The print presents the biblical moment of Christ rising from the tomb, with the central figure of Jesus standing prominently, staff in hand, while a group of disoriented soldiers lie scattered at his feet. The composition is dominated by the dramatic gesture of the risen Christ.
Subject & Meaning
The image conveys the triumph of the Resurrection, emphasizing Christ’s authority through his upright stance and the contrast with the fallen guards. The soldiers’ attempts to rise suggest the disruption of death’s power, while Jesus’s raised left hand gestures toward the heavens, reinforcing the theological message of victory over mortality.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the work relies on bold, incised lines and cross‑hatching to model form and suggest depth. The use of laid paper provides a subtle texture that enhances the contrast between dark shadows and lighter areas. Altdorfer’s handling of line creates a dynamic sense of movement, characteristic of his narrative prints and the broader German Renaissance print tradition.
History & Provenance
Altdorfer, a leading figure of the Danube School, created the print during the early 16th‑century flourishing of religious imagery in Germany. Though specific ownership records are scarce, the work is associated with the Nuremberg Little Masters, a group of artists known for finely detailed woodcuts. The piece remains an example of Altdorfer’s integration of landscape and biblical storytelling.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Altdorfer (c. 1480 – 12 February 1538) was a German painter, engraver and architect of the Renaissance working in Regensburg. Along with Lucas Cranach the Elder and Wolf Huber he is regarded to be the main…
