Artwork

The Resurrection

The Resurrection, by German 15th Century, paint, 1475
The Resurrection, by German 15th Century, paint, 1475

The Resurrection is a paint print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1475 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work titled “The Resurrection” is a hand‑colored metalcut print depicting the biblical moment of Christ’s emergence from the tomb. Central to the composition, Jesus is shown standing with a staff, robed and crowned with a halo, while soldiers in armor lie scattered around him. A distant landscape of trees, structures, and open sky frames the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates the Christian narrative of the Resurrection, emphasizing the triumph of the risen Christ over death. The presence of defeated soldiers underscores the divine victory, while the halo and staff identify Jesus as the holy figure. The surrounding architecture and natural elements situate the event within a recognizable, albeit symbolic, earthly setting.

Technique & Style

Executed through a metalcut process, the image originates from an incised metal plate that was inked and pressed onto paper. After printing, the artist applied pigments by hand, employing yellow, red‑brown lake, and green to accentuate details. The combination of precise line work from the metalcut and selective coloration yields a vivid yet restrained visual effect typical of early printmaking.

Context

The piece belongs to the broader tradition of Renaissance religious prints, a period when artists increasingly used reproducible media to disseminate biblical stories. Metalcut, though less common than woodcut or engraving, allowed for fine detail and durability, catering to devotional audiences seeking portable, affordable representations of sacred themes.

Artist & collection

Portrait of German 15th Century

Artist

German 15th Century

This 15th-century German artist carved vivid religious scenes into metal and wood, then hand-painted them in bright, symbolic colors.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.