The Resurrection

The Resurrection by Albrecht Dürer, created in 1512, is a masterful example of the German Renaissance artist's technical prowess in printmaking. Executed as a meticulous engraving on laid paper, this work belongs to the critical period of 1501 to 1550, when Dürer was establishing himself as the premier Northern European printmaker. The piece exemplifies the precision, dramatic lighting, and exhaustive detail that defined Dürer’s highly influential approach to the copper plate.

The composition centers on the moment Christ rises triumphantly from the tomb, surrounded by startled Roman guards. Christ levitates powerfully above the sarcophagus, holding the banner of the Resurrection, a traditional symbol of his victory over death. Below, the heavily armored soldiers recoil violently, their bodies twisted and poses suggesting deep terror and confusion as they are literally thrown off balance by the divine event. Dürer utilizes the characteristic crisp lines of the engraving technique to render the complex textures of the rough stone sarcophagus and the metallic sheen of the armor with remarkable clarity. The dramatic contrast between the brilliant light emanating from Christ and the deep shadows engulfing the tomb highlights the spiritual magnitude of the event.

Dürer’s genius lay in his ability to translate monumental narratives into the intimate, reproducible format of the print. This work, alongside others in his vast catalog of prints, ensured his images and complex theological interpretations spread widely across Europe, cementing his status as a key figure of the German Renaissance. The enduring study and accessibility of Dürer's prolific output, much of which is now considered to be in the public domain due to its age, underscore its lasting artistic and historical importance. This exceptional impression of The Resurrection is held within the esteemed collection of the National Gallery of Art.