Opstanding van Christus 1597

Jan Collaert II created this engraving of the Resurrection of Christ sometime between 1586 and 1628. It's a work that encapsulates the religious and social climate of the Counter-Reformation in the Low Countries. The image teems with visual codes. The triumphant Christ, soldiers in disarray, and the distant cityscape all speak to the power of faith over earthly authority. Collaert, working in Antwerp, then a stronghold of Catholic orthodoxy, uses the established visual language to reinforce doctrine. This was a period marked by religious conflict, and institutions like the church and art academies played a crucial role in propagating particular beliefs. Consider how the printing press amplified such messages, making art a tool for religious instruction and social control. For deeper understanding, look into the history of printmaking in Antwerp, the role of religious orders in commissioning art, and the impact of the Reformation on artistic production. The meaning of this print lies in the context of its creation and reception.