The Resurrection, from "The Small Passion"

Art Historical Context

Albrecht Dürer's *The Resurrection*, from his renowned series *The Small Passion (ca. 1509–1511), captures one of Christianity's most triumphant moments: Christ's rising from the tomb. Created around 1510, this intimate woodcut depicts the resurrected Savior emerging in glory, surrounded by slumbering Roman soldiers clutching weapons and the ominous cross nearby—a vivid reminder of sacrifice and victory. At just 5 x 4, it's designed for personal devotion, allowingpeople to own and meditate on sacred scenes. Dürer, a pinnacle of the Northern Renaissance, revolutionized printmaking with his masterful woodcuts. Unlike larger works, *The Small Passion*'s 37 prints were affordable and portable, democratizing art during the early Reformation era when religious imagery fueled spiritual and cultural debates. His technique shines in the fine lines and dramatic contrasts, evoking light bursting from darkness, achieved by carving intricate details into wood blocks for mass production. This piece from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's George Khuner Collection exemplifies Dürer's fusion of meticulous observation and profound emotion, making biblical narratives accessible and awe-inspiring for all visitors.

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 ...