Artwork

Dedication: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben (I am the resurrection and the life)

Dedication: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben (I am the resurrection and the life), by Ferdinand Olivier, ink, 1823
Dedication: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben (I am the resurrection and the life), by Ferdinand Olivier, ink, 1823

Dedication: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben (I am the resurrection and the life) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Ferdinand Olivier. It dates from 1823 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Ferdinand Olivier’s lithograph Dedication: Ich bin die Auferstehung und das Leben (I am the resurrection and the life) was produced in 1823. Executed as a single‑plate print, the work presents a densely populated religious tableau that combines narrative and commemorative elements within a single composition.

Subject & Meaning

At the centre a kneeling woman attends a tomb while an angel stands nearby, suggesting a moment of mourning and hope. Surrounding figures, some bearing books or tools, are arranged in arched niches that frame the central action, reinforcing the theme of resurrection and the promise of new life.

Technique & Style

The lithograph employs strong linear contrasts and deep shadows characteristic of early 19th‑century German printmaking. Olivier’s handling of the stone surface creates crisp outlines for the figures and decorative frames, while the tonal gradations give the scene a dramatic, almost theatrical atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in the early 1820s, the print reflects Olivier’s interest in religious subjects during a period when lithography was gaining popularity as a medium for both artistic and devotional works. The inclusion of numerous names within the surrounding frames suggests it may have been commissioned as a dedication for specific individuals or families.

Context

The work belongs to a broader German Romantic fascination with biblical motifs and the spiritual renewal of the post‑Napoleonic era. Its compositional complexity and use of multiple inset frames echo contemporary altar pieces and devotional prints that aimed to engage viewers on both visual and contemplative levels.

Legacy

While not as widely reproduced as later lithographs, this piece illustrates Olivier’s contribution to the development of narrative printmaking in Germany and offers insight into the devotional visual culture of the early 19th century.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Ferdinand Olivier

Artist

Ferdinand Olivier

Ferdinand Olivier (1785–1841) was a German artist, born in Dessau.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.