Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1510 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Below, sleeping and startled Roman soldiers react with varied expressions of shock and confusion, some clutching their weapons while others remain slumbering.
Albrecht Dürer's woodcut The Resurrection, created in 1510, depicts the moment Christ rises from the tomb. The composition centers on the figure of Jesus, who emerges from a stone sarcophagus with arms raised and eyes open, encircled by a radiant halo. Below, sleeping and startled Roman soldiers react with varied expressions of shock and confusion, some clutching their weapons while others remain slumbering. Dürer employs fine, precise hatching to render the dramatic interplay of light and shadow, emphasizing the divine illumination surrounding the resurrected figure against the darker foreground. Executed during the height of his career in Nuremberg, this work exemplifies the technical mastery and theological depth characteristic of the German Renaissance. The woodcut medium allowed for wide dissemination of this religious narrative, reflecting Dürer's commitment to merging Northern European detail with Italianate compositional balance. As part of his series on the Passion, the piece underscores the triumph of light over darkness and serves as a significant example of early 16th-century religious printmaking.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on the risen Jesus, whose eyes are open and arms raised in triumph, encircled by a luminous halo. Below, Roman soldiers display a range of reactions—some startled, others asleep, and a few clutching their weapons—emphasizing the miraculous nature of the event.
Technique & Style
Executed as a woodcut, the image was carved by hand into a wooden block, each line incised with a knife. After inking the raised surfaces, the block was pressed onto paper, producing a print that combines fine linear detail with the bold tonal contrasts typical of Dürer’s printmaking.
History & Provenance
Dürer created this work as part of a series of religious prints intended for a broad audience, allowing ordinary viewers to acquire devotional images. The piece reflects his interest in making biblical narratives accessible beyond the confines of painted altarpieces.
Context
The early sixteenth century saw a surge in print production, and Dürer was at the forefront of elevating woodcut from a commercial craft to an art form. The Resurrection exemplifies his skill in integrating intricate detail with the medium’s graphic possibilities.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Albrecht Dürer spent his life in Nuremberg, a busy German city where artists traded prints like currency.
![Madonna and Child [obverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--madonna-and-child-obverse--d7b8ebf05d22ebe5-w320.webp)
![Lot and His Daughters [reverse], by Albrecht Dürer](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/albrecht-durer--lot-and-his-daughters-reverse--b4ebf9b282faa17a-w320.webp)
