Resurrection of Christ 1515 - 1525

Ugo da Carpi's "Resurrection of Christ," is a chiaroscuro woodcut brimming with potent symbolism. We see Christ emerging triumphantly from his tomb, a visual declaration of victory over death. His triumphant stance, with the banner of the cross, echoes the classical contrapposto, yet is imbued with Christian significance. Note the Roman soldiers in the foreground, cast into turmoil by this divine event. This motif of disarraying the opposition can be traced back to ancient depictions of vanquished foes, a visual language employed here to emphasize Christ's spiritual conquest. Consider also the mourning angels. Their sorrow, a universal expression of grief, reminds us of the emotional weight inherent in this moment. This echoes ancient depictions of lamenting figures, yet here, it is transformed by the hope of resurrection. These symbols remind us that art is not created in a vacuum, but rather emerges from the collective memory, revealing how images evolve, transform, and resurface across time.