The Resurrection

About this artwork

Pieter Bruegel's vast oeuvre of prints was, in all but one case, produced by other engravers after his drawings, as in this engraving by Philip Galle.

Art Historical Context

Pieter Bruegel the Elder’s *The Resurrection*, created around 1580 captures the biblical moment of rising from the tomb remarkable detail and emotional depth A leading figure of Northern Renaissance, Bruegel was renowned for religious narratives with vivid observations of everyday life and expansive landscapes. Though best known for his paintings, he frequently designed works for print, allowing his imaginative scenes to reach broader audiences across Europe during a time of religious upheaval and reform. This engraving, rendered in black ink on ivory laid paper, exemplifies the power of the medium in the sixteenth century. Engraving enabled precise linework and intricate textures, from the dramatic folds of drapery to the rocky tomb and surrounding figures. Measuring just over 17 by 12 inches, the print’s intimate scale invites close viewing, revealing Bruegel’s masterful handling of light and shadow to both divine wonder and human astonishment. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Prints and Drawings department, this work highlights Bruegel’s enduring influence on how biblical stories were visualized and shared. Its survival as a fine impression underscores the lasting cultural importance of reproductive prints in shaping religious imagination during the late Renaissance.