Artwork
Resurrection of Christ
Resurrection of Christ is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Franz Xaver Wagenschön. It dates from 1760 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.
About this work
Overview
Resurrection of Christ is a 1760 oil painting by Franz Xaver Wagenschön, a German Bohemian artist active during the Rococo and early Neoclassical periods. The work is now part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum collection in Vienna.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a pivotal Christian moment: Jesus Christ rising from the tomb. The scene conveys spiritual drama through the contrast between Christ's radiant emergence and the somber reactions of the three robed figures below, one of whom holds a lantern.
Technique & Style
Wagenschön employed strong chiaroscuro, juxtaposing warm, golden light on the resurrected Christ with deep, dark shadows. This contrast creates a dramatic, high-contrast effect, making the glowing figure sharply prominent against the dark background.
History & Provenance
Created in 1760, the painting is attributed to Wagenschön's output during his time in Vienna, following his birth in Bohemia. It is currently housed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, alongside other works by the artist held in Austrian museums.
Context
The work reflects the artistic transition between Rococo's emotional intensity and the emerging Neoclassical period's emphasis on clarity and moral themes, with Wagenschön's use of light symbolizing spiritual awakening.
Legacy
While specific impact details are not provided, *Resurrection of Christ* contributes to Wagenschön's reputation as a notable painter of religious themes in 18th-century Austria, with his works represented in prominent Austrian museum collections.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Franz Xaver Wagenschön (2 September 1726, Littisch, Bohemia (now Litíč, Czech Republic) – 1 January 1790, Vienna) was a German Bohemian painter of the Rococo and Neoclassical styles.
