The Resurrection

Albrecht Dürer’s iconic woodcut, The Resurrection, created in 1510, is a masterful example of Northern Renaissance graphic art. This influential piece belongs to Dürer’s prolific period between 1501 to 1550, when the German master redefined the potential of the print medium for religious and narrative subjects. This pivotal work is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C., and showcases the artist's technical innovation in depicting dramatic spiritual narratives with unparalleled detail.

The work depicts the climactic moment when Christ rises from the tomb, shattering the seal of death while Roman soldiers reel back in awe or fear. Dürer utilizes the challenging woodcut technique to achieve remarkable tonal variation and intricate detail, results often reserved solely for copperplate engraving. The composition is highly dynamic; Christ ascends diagonally, draped in billowing robes and holding the banner of triumph, while the heavy block of the sarcophagus anchors the chaos below. Dürer’s meticulous linear work defines the musculature of the stunned guards and the texture of the rocky landscape, demonstrating why he is recognized for elevating the status of prints from mere illustration to independent fine art.

As one of the leading figures of the German Renaissance, Dürer ensured his visual theological interpretations reached a wide audience through mass-produced graphic works. The clarity and emotional power of The Resurrection made it immensely popular and widely disseminated throughout Europe during the early sixteenth century. The National Gallery of Art maintains high-quality records of this significant artwork, and due to its age and historical importance, high-resolution prints are often made available through various institutions as part of the public domain. This accessibility allows researchers and enthusiasts worldwide to study Dürer’s profound contribution to the history of prints and biblical iconography.