Opstanding van Christus 1596 - 1667

This is an anonymous print titled "Opstanding van Christus" at the Rijksmuseum. The black ink on paper creates a dramatic contrast, immediately drawing the eye to the cluster of figures emerging from what appears to be a cave. The composition is structured by a play of light and shadow. The resurrection scene is bathed in a divine light, with the figure of Christ rendered with soft, flowing lines. This contrasts sharply with the foreground, where the soldiers are depicted with tight, cross-hatched lines, giving them a dense, almost sculptural quality. The angel gesturing towards the empty tomb, reinforces this interplay between the earthly and the divine. The artist uses this contrast not just aesthetically, but also to emphasize the profound shift in power and understanding. The dynamic interplay of light and dark becomes a semiotic device, underscoring the themes of revelation, awakening, and transformation inherent in the Resurrection narrative.