The Resurrection, from "The Passion"

The Resurrection, from "The Passion," is a powerful engraving created by the German Renaissance master Albrecht Dürer in 1512. This masterful print belongs to his famous series documenting the final events of Christ's life, demonstrating the technical peak of 16th-century German printmaking. Dürer’s unparalleled skill in the medium of engraving is evident here, utilizing detailed line work and crosshatching to create deep shadows and luminous highlights, defining the figures with extraordinary precision.

The composition captures the dramatic moment of Christ’s glorious ascent from the tomb. Dürer depicts Christ floating dynamically, holding the banner of victory, while the Roman soldiers guarding the sepulcher recoil in terror below. The heavy, muscular forms of the sleeping and startled soldiers anchor the terrestrial half of the work, contrasting sharply with the divine energy radiating from the resurrected figure above. This piece is a quintessential example of the Northern Renaissance focus on intense emotional drama coupled with highly refined technical realism.

As part of Dürer’s influential The Passion series, this print demonstrates the artist's immense influence on early 16th-century visual culture throughout Europe. The work resides in the esteemed collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it serves as a crucial reference point for the study of early modern prints. Because this artwork is now in the public domain, art historians and enthusiasts worldwide continue to study the technical brilliance of Dürer’s unique approach to composition and religious narrative.