Resurrection 1512

Albrecht Durer made this ‘Resurrection’ print using a technique called woodcut. The artist first draws an image, then painstakingly carves away the wood around the lines, leaving a raised design. The block is then inked and pressed onto paper. The image, therefore, is essentially a relief, like a rubber stamp. Look closely, and you can see the crisp, linear quality that is characteristic of this process. Durer was a master printmaker, and he understood the power of this medium to disseminate images widely. Unlike painting, printmaking allows for the creation of multiple originals, making art more accessible. This was particularly important during the Reformation, when printed images played a key role in spreading religious ideas. The labor and skill involved in creating such a detailed woodcut are considerable. Durer's prints were highly sought after, and they helped to establish his reputation as one of the leading artists of the Renaissance. By appreciating the material and making of this work, we can understand its significance not only as a work of art but also as a product of its time.