The Resurrection

Art Historical Context

**The Resurrection** (1662) is a striking engraving collaboratively produced by Dutch artist Cornelis Bloemaert and Italian painter Ciro Ferri Bloemaert, known for his precise reproductive engravings, likely translated Ferri's dynamic Baroque design onto the copper plate, resulting in this trimmed sheet measuring 14 × 9¼ inches. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum Art's Drawings and Prints as part of The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, it 17th-century printmaking excellence. Engravings like this were revolutionary for their time, allowing intricate artworks to be reproduced and disseminated widely across Europe—far beyond the reach of original paintings. The Baroque style, evident in Ferri's influence from masters like Pietro da Cortona, emphasizes dramatic movement and emotional intensity, perfectly suiting the theme of Christ's Resurrection, a pivotal moment in Christian iconography symbolizing triumph over death. This piece highlights the fruitful artistic exchanges between Northern and Southern Europe during the 1660s, when engravers like Bloemaert worked in Rome. Its survival in such a prestigious collection underscores its enduring value as both a technical marvel and a window into Counter-Reformation piety. Visitors will appreciate the fine lines and rich tonal contrasts that bring the sacred scene vividly to life.