Resurrection of the Dead (lower left section of the Last Judgment) 1548

This section of the engraving 'Resurrection of the Dead' by Niccolò della Casa is held at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is made with black ink. Notice how the composition emphasizes a spiraling movement, with figures densely packed and intertwined. This creates a sense of dynamic chaos, mirroring the apocalyptic theme of the Last Judgment. Della Casa masterfully uses the contrast of light and shadow to define the musculature of the figures. The bodies are stacked in a hierarchy, suggesting different levels of salvation or damnation. The artist uses linear perspective and foreshortening. It adds depth and realism while also serving to disorient the viewer. The careful rendering of anatomy, and its relationship to the overall message of divine reckoning, all underscore the engraving's engagement with themes of salvation, damnation, and the ultimate fate of humanity. The dramatic use of line and form destabilizes any fixed interpretation of religious doctrine, instead inviting reflection on the complex interplay between faith, judgment, and human destiny.