Opstanding c. 17th century

This is ‘Opstanding’, an Italian engraving by Monogrammist GC, with no known creation date. The composition is dramatically split between the earthly and the divine. Below, the engraver uses tight, cross-hatched lines to depict the chaotic scene of soldiers overwhelmed by Christ’s emergence. The forms are muscular, twisted, conveying turmoil. Above, the lines are lighter, radiating outward to capture a celestial realm filled with angels. The risen Christ, centrally positioned, acts as a bridge between these realms, yet the stylistic contrast is stark. Here, form serves theology. The sharp distinction between the dense, agitated lines below and the ethereal lightness above embodies the conceptual shift from earthly struggle to heavenly peace. It’s a powerful articulation of spiritual transcendence achieved through the very structure of the engraving. As you continue, consider how artists use form to not just depict, but embody, complex ideas.