Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist Francesco Salviati. It dates from 1546 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Resurrection is a drawing created in 1546 by Francesco Salviati, an Italian Mannerist artist. Executed in pen, brown ink, brown wash, and heightened white on laid paper, the work showcases Salviati's skill in historical narrative drawing within the Mannerist style.
Subject & Meaning
Depicting a pivotal Christian moment, the drawing shows a semi-nude figure ascending from a tomb, with his feet hovering above the stone. The contrast between the supernatural, glowing figure and the cowering, earthly attendants (one shielding, the other gazing up) emphasizes the dramatic and mystical aspects of the Resurrection.
Technique & Style
Salviati employed quick, expressive lines and brown wash to convey dynamic movement and luminosity. The interplay of light and shadow, achieved through heightened white accents, adds depth and highlights the mystical glow of the rising figure, characteristic of Mannerist emphasis on emotional intensity.
History & Provenance
Created in 1546, The Resurrection reflects Salviati's practice in ambitious historical painting. While specific provenance details are not provided, the work aligns with his broader output for prominent patrons like the Medici, across mediums including fresco, oil, portrait, and tapestry design.
Context
This drawing situates itself within the broader Renaissance tradition of depicting religious themes with a Mannerist twist, emphasizing unusual perspectives, emotional intensity, and the supernatural. Similar ghostly and dynamically composed scenes can be found in other Renaissance artworks.
Legacy
The Resurrection contributes to Salviati's legacy as a versatile Mannerist artist. Though not individually renowned as a standalone masterpiece, it exemplifies the artistic trends and thematic preoccupations of 16th-century Italian art, influencing subsequent generations in the depiction of religious narratives.
Artist & collection
Artist
Francesco Salviati or Francesco de' Rossi (1510 – 11 November 1563) was an Italian Mannerist painter who lived and worked in Florence, with periods in Bologna and Venice, ending with a long period in Rome, where he died.
