The Resurrection of Christ
Medium
Pen and brown ink, brush and brown wash, with lead white heightening and traces of graphite or black chalk, on paper toned with transparent brown wash; graphite framing lines at left and top edges
Dimensions
16 13/16 x 11 in. (42.7 x 28.0 cm)
Classification
Drawings
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Anne and Jean Bonna Gift, 1996
Accession Number
1996.52
Rights
Public Domain
Tags
Art Historical Context
Joseph Heintz the Elder’s *The Resurrection of Christ* (1585) captures the dramatic moment when Christ rises from the tomb, surrounded by startled soldiers. Created during the late Renaissance, the drawing reflects the period’s fascination with dynamic movement and spiritual intensity. Heintz, a Swiss artist who trained in Italy and later worked at the imperial court in Prague, brought a refined sense of drama to religious subjects, blending Northern European precision with Italianate elegance. The work is executed in pen and brown ink with brush-applied wash and white heightening on toned paper. This layered technique allows Heintz to model figures with sculptural clarity while using the brown wash to create atmospheric depth. Such drawings often served both as independent works of art and as studies for larger paintings, showcasing the artist’s mastery of light and form. Acquired by the Metropolitan Museum in 1996, the sheet offers visitors an intimate view of how 16th-century artists explored one of Christianity’s most pivotal narratives through expressive draftsmanship.