Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an unspecified painting by Rodrigo de Osona. It dates from 1494 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Rodrigo de Osona’s 1494 panel, titled The Resurrection, presents a biblical episode in which the risen Christ stands atop a stone tomb. The work is part of the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s collection and measures the scene with a balanced, central composition that draws the eye to the figure of Jesus.
Subject & Meaning
The painting portrays Jesus Christ after his resurrection, clothed in a purple mantle and holding a staff, symbolizing his divine authority. Four attendant figures—two kneeling and two standing—are rendered in contemporary dress and armor, suggesting a connection between the sacred event and the earthly realm of the viewer’s time.
Technique & Style
De Osona employs a clear tonal contrast that models the figures with light and shadow, creating a sense of three‑dimensionality. The palette of muted earth tones punctuated by the vivid purple of the robe enhances depth, while the landscape background of trees, hills, and water provides a natural setting that frames the central action.
History & Provenance
Created in the late fifteenth century, The Resurrection entered the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century. Its provenance traces back to Spanish collections, reflecting the artist’s activity in the Iberian Peninsula and the work’s movement from private devotion to public exhibition.
Artist & collection
