Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Pieter Lastman. It dates from 1612 and is held in the collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum.
About this work
Overview
Pieter Lastman’s 1612 oil on canvas, titled *The Resurrection*, presents the biblical moment of Christ’s rising from the dead. Executed during the early Baroque period, the work combines dramatic composition with meticulous attention to human anatomy, a hallmark of Lastman’s history paintings. The painting is part of the J. Paul Getty Museum’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
At the composition’s apex, Christ hovers, swathed in a white shroud, arms outstretched and encircled by a luminous halo, symbolizing divine triumph. Beneath him, an angel in a white robe clutches a cross, while a group of mortals on the ground appear stunned, some collapsed or asleep, underscoring the earthly impact of the miracle.
Technique & Style
Lastman employs oil paint to achieve fine gradations of light and shadow, anticipating chiaroscuro effects that heighten three‑dimensionality. The rendering of hands, feet, and facial expressions is especially precise, reflecting his reputation for detailed figural work. Soft, indistinct clouds form a hazy backdrop, adding atmospheric depth without distracting from the central figures.
History & Provenance
Created in 1612, the painting reflects the early Baroque’s Italian influence on Dutch artists. After changing hands over the centuries, it entered the J. Paul Getty Museum, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s European painting holdings.
Context
*The Resurrection* belongs to a tradition of religious history paintings that sought to convey theological narratives through vivid human drama. In the early 17th century, Dutch painters like Lastman were integrating Italian Baroque dynamism with Northern attention to detail, bridging regional styles and expanding the visual language of sacred subjects.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Lastman (1583–1633) was a Dutch painter. Lastman is considered important because of his work as a painter of history pieces and because his pupils included Rembrandt and Jan Lievens. In his paintings Lastman paid…
