Artwork
The Resurrection of Christ
The Resurrection of Christ is an oil painting by the Mannerist artist Master of the Virgo inter Virgines. It is held in the collection of the Jacques Goudstikker collection. Created in 1596 on a wooden panel, this religious work portrays the moment of Christ’s rising from the tomb.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1596 on a wooden panel, this religious work portrays the moment of Christ’s rising from the tomb. The composition centers on a figure of Jesus in a vivid red robe, clutching a cross, while four armored men occupy the foreground, three prostrate and one standing apart. A tranquil landscape of trees, hills and a clear sky forms the backdrop, lending depth through light and shadow.
Subject & Meaning
The painting illustrates the Christian narrative of the Resurrection, emphasizing Christ’s triumph over death. The contrast between the luminous, richly colored Christ and the muted, earth‑toned soldiers underscores the spiritual victory and the earthly resistance he overcomes.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic manner characteristic of the artist’s early Netherlandish training, the work employs strong chiaroscuro to model forms and create spatial depth. The vivid red of the robe against the subdued armor and landscape demonstrates a careful handling of color contrast typical of the period’s Mannerist influences.
History & Provenance
Attributed to the anonymous Master of the Virgo inter Virgines, an early Netherlandish painter active near Delft between 1483 and 1498, the piece reflects the artist’s known oeuvre, including a noted altarpiece now in the Rijksmuseum that gave him his conventional name. The work’s early ownership details remain undocumented.
Context
The painting emerges from a late‑15th‑century Northern European milieu where devotional images served both liturgical and private contemplation. Its realistic treatment aligns with contemporary trends toward naturalism, while its compositional drama echoes the Mannerist shift toward heightened emotional expression.
Artist & collection
Artist
Master of the Virgo inter Virgines
The Master of the Virgo inter Virgines was an Early Netherlandish painter and designer of woodcuts active around Delft between 1483 and 1498.
