Resurrection

Art Historical Context

Santi di Tito (1536–1603), a leading Florentine painter of the late Renaissance, created this expressive chalk study of the Resurrection. Working during the Counter-Reformation, he helped move Florentine art away from the elegant distortions of Mannerism toward greater clarity, naturalism, and emotional directness—qualities especially valued in religious commissions of the period. Executed in red and black chalk on ivory laid paper, the drawing showcases the artist’s masterful handling of line and tone. The combination of media allowed him to model figures with soft gradations while maintaining crisp contours, a technique often used for preparatory studies that would guide larger paintings or frescoes. Measuring roughly 16 by 22 inches, the sheet captures the dramatic moment of Christ rising from the tomb, surrounded by astonished soldiers—a subject rich with themes of triumph and renewal. Now in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings collection, this work offers visitors an intimate glimpse into the creative process behind a major religious narrative, revealing how Renaissance artists translated spiritual drama into vivid, human form.

About the Artist

Santi di Tito · 1536–1602

Italian painter. Comment on works: Portraits; Religious