Who painted The Resurrection?

The Resurrection was painted by German 15th Century in 1490.

Where can I see The Resurrection?

The Resurrection is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Resurrection?

The Resurrection is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

The Resurrection

German 15th Century , 1490

The Resurrection is an ink print by the Renaissance artist German 15th Century. It dates from 1490 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Below, two figures on the ground gaze upward, one wearing a red hat and the other extending a hand toward the central figure.

The work titled “The Resurrection” is a hand‑colored woodcut print that presents a flat, brightly colored composition. Central to the image is a figure crowned with a golden halo, clutching a cross and raising one arm. Below, two figures on the ground gaze upward, one wearing a red hat and the other extending a hand toward the central figure. The background features a blue sky rendered with wavy lines and a strip of green grass.

Subject & Meaning

The central haloed figure is identified as the resurrected Christ, his raised hand and cross symbolizing triumph over death. The two ground‑level observers appear to be witnesses to the event, their gestures of looking up and reaching out suggesting reverence and a desire for connection with the divine moment.

Technique & Style

Executed as a woodcut, the image relies on strong, black outlines that define simple, geometric shapes. After printing, the block was hand‑colored, giving the work its vivid palette. This approach reflects early printmaking conventions, where bold contours and flat areas of color were favored before the rise of more detailed, painterly techniques.

Context

The print belongs to a period when religious subjects were widely disseminated through inexpensive woodcut reproductions. Such images served devotional purposes, allowing broader audiences to engage with biblical narratives in a visual format that could be easily reproduced and distributed.