De opstanding after 1529

Lucas van Leyden created this print, titled "The Resurrection," sometime in the early 16th century. It depicts a triumphant Christ emerging from his tomb, his divinity emphasized through the bright tonality of the print which throws the foreground into stark relief. Van Leyden was working during a time of great religious upheaval, as the Protestant Reformation challenged the Catholic Church's authority. In "The Resurrection," we see a challenge to traditional representations of power. The image subtly questions established hierarchies, evident in the disarray of the Roman soldiers, who are cast in deep shadow, rendered helpless by Christ's radiant presence. The emotional impact of the image comes from the sense of awe and disruption, as earthly authority is overturned by spiritual truth. Van Leyden invites us to reflect on the nature of faith and power, and on the possibility of renewal in times of conflict and change. The artist powerfully conveys a message of hope amidst the anxieties of a rapidly changing world.