Kristuksen ylösnousemus, mahdollisesti Vihdin kirkon alttaritaulun luonnos ; Kristus uppståndelse, troligtvis skiss för altartavlan i Vihtis kyrka

The artist employs chiaroscuro to heighten the drama: deep shadows swallow the background while sharp highlights define Christ’s body and the soldiers’ armor. This contrast isolates the figures and directs attention to the central moment. Brushwork is controlled yet expressive, with minimal detail on the soldiers’ faces to emphasize their collective shock. The angel’s wings are rendered with delicate strokes, adding a fragile counterpoint to the solidity of the figures.

The sketch is believed to have been created as a model for the altarpiece in Vihtis Church, likely in the early 18th century. It remained in regional ecclesiastical collections, possibly used by the artist or his workshop to finalize the composition before the full-scale painting was executed. Its survival as a standalone work suggests it was valued for its compositional clarity and emotional intensity.

Produced during a period when Lutheran churches in Finland emphasized clear, emotionally resonant religious imagery, this sketch reflects broader trends in Nordic devotional art. While avoiding ornate Baroque excess, it aligns with the era’s preference for direct, narrative-driven scenes that could inspire contemplation. The use of dramatic lighting echoes Northern European traditions influenced by Caravaggisti, adapted to local liturgical needs.

As a surviving study, the sketch offers insight into the artist’s process and the visual language of Finnish ecclesiastical art in the early 1700s. It stands as a testament to the quiet power of understated religious imagery in a region where grand altarpieces were rare. Its preservation allows scholars to trace how theological themes were translated into visual form within a modest, provincial context.