Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1548 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The work titled *The Resurrection* is an engraving executed on laid paper. Rendered in monochrome, the composition depicts a tumultuous scene centered on a figure emerging from a tomb, surrounded by a crowd of smaller figures reacting with alarm or flight. The setting rests on a rugged, rocky platform, while swirling drapery, clouds, and expressive gestures amplify the dramatic atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
At the heart of the print lies the moment of a risen figure, traditionally interpreted as a resurrection motif. The surrounding figures, rendered in varied poses of shock and retreat, convey the upheaval and astonishment associated with the event. The chaotic arrangement underscores themes of transformation and the disruption of ordinary order by a supernatural occurrence.
Technique & Style
By varying line density and cross‑hatching, textures such as stone, fabric, and atmospheric clouds acquire depth despite the absence of color.
The artist employs the engraving technique, incising fine lines into a metal plate to produce delicate tonal variations on laid paper. By varying line density and cross‑hatching, textures such as stone, fabric, and atmospheric clouds acquire depth despite the absence of color. The composition relies on dynamic gestures and swirling forms, characteristic of late Renaissance or early Baroque printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print is catalogued as a single sheet, with no specific date or artist identified in the provided information. Its survival on laid paper suggests an early modern origin, when such support was common for fine prints. The work’s provenance remains undocumented, and it likely circulated among collectors of religious or narrative engravings during its period.
Artist & collection
Artist
A 16th-century Italian sculptor left us small bronze works in dark brown and gold.
