Artwork
Auferstehung Christi
Auferstehung Christi is an unspecified painting by Heinrich Aldegrever. It dates from 1538 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1538, this religious canvas by the German artist Heinrich Aldegrever portrays the resurrection of Christ. Executed in oil on panel, the work is part of the collection of Munich’s Alte Pinakothek. The composition centers on a dramatic, night‑time tableau that combines earthly warriors with celestial beings, underscoring the theological significance of the event.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the scene stands a armored figure clutching a spear, symbolising the triumph of the resurrected Christ over death. An angel to his right and a robed figure to his left frame the composition, while above them the crucified Christ hovers, encircled by a luminous halo, suggesting divine presence and the promise of salvation.
Technique & Style
Aldegrever employs pronounced chiaroscuro, contrasting deep shadows with bright illumination to model forms and guide the eye toward the central figures. The stark lighting creates a three‑dimensional effect, while the dark, indistinct background heightens the drama and reinforces the spiritual tension between the earthly and the heavenly realms.
History & Provenance
The painting, catalogued as Q30095998, entered the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings in the 19th century, where it has remained on public display. Its attribution to Aldegrever, a noted member of the Cologne school, is supported by stylistic analysis and archival records linking the work to his mid‑16th‑century output.
Context
Produced during the Reformation era, the work reflects contemporary concerns with the visual representation of biblical narratives. Aldegrever’s integration of martial imagery with sacred themes aligns with the period’s emphasis on Christ’s victory over sin, resonating with both devotional practice and the emerging Protestant aesthetic.
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Aldegrever or Aldegraf was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the "Little Masters", the group of German artists making small old master prints in the generation after Albrecht Dürer.
