Resurrection, from The Engraved Passion

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Dürer, a pinnacle of the Northern Renaissance, *Resurrection, from The Engraved Passion* in1512, with publication following in 1513. This engraving belongs to Dürer's masterful series of 16 prints depicting the Passion of Christ—from agony in the Garden of Gethsemane to triumphant resurrection. At just 11.9 × 7.5 cm, its intimate scale belies its monumental impact capturing the risen Christ emerging from the tomb amid radiant light and fleeing guards, symbolizing hope and divine victory central to Christian devotion. Dürer's genius shines in his engraving technique on ivory laid paper, where fine copperplate lines create astonishing depth, texture, and luminosity. He revolutionized printmaking, elevating it from mere reproduction to a fine art form rivaling painting. Intricate cross-hatching and swelling lines produce dramatic chiaroscuro, drawing viewers into the sacred drama with hyper-realistic detail. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings Department, this work underscores prints' cultural power in the 16th century: affordable and portable, they spread Renaissance humanism and religious fervor across Europe, making Dürer's vision accessible beyond elite patrons. A testament to enduring faith and artistry.

About the Artist

Albrecht Dürer · 1471–1528

Albrecht Dürer (1471–1528) stands as the preeminent figure of the Northern Renaissance and arguably the most influential artist in the history of printmaking. Born in Nuremberg on May 21, 1471, and dying in the same city on April 6, 1528, Dürer revolutionized the status of the artist in Northern Europe, transforming printmaking from a commercial craft into an independent fine art and establishing ...