The Resurrection 1575 - 1605

This enamel painting of the Resurrection was made around 1600 by Jean I Reymond. In it, Christ rises triumphantly from his tomb, holding a staff, as Roman soldiers are scattered by his divine power. The motif of the resurrected Christ, emerging from the sepulcher, echoes earlier depictions of emperors rising from their tombs, a visual language used to assert power. Note the staff or scepter he carries, a symbol of authority, but here transformed from a sign of earthly power to one of spiritual dominion. We can see the roots of this visual trope stretching back to ancient Roman art, in images of emperors holding scepters as emblems of their rule. Over time, as Christianity spread, the staff evolved into a symbol of divine authority. Consider the emotional impact of this image. The chaos among the soldiers contrasts sharply with Christ's serene, almost indifferent expression. This evokes a sense of the sublime, where the human mind confronts something beyond its comprehension, a powerful force engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. This same symbol has resurfaced, evolved, and taken on new meanings in different historical contexts.