Artwork
The Resurrection
The Resurrection is a tempera painting by the Early Renaissance artist Pietro Perugino. It dates from 1502 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts Christ rising from his tomb as soldiers lie in various states of shock and sleep, a scene drawn from the Gospels’ account of the Resurrection. Christ’s banner, a white cross on red, signals victory over death and the fulfillment of salvation, while the soldiers’ armor and discarded weapons underscore the earthly power that is rendered powerless. The symmetrical composition and calm, classical landscape frame the divine event within a measured, human space, emphasizing the intersection of supernatural revelation and earthly witness.
Technique & Style
Pietro Perugino created The Resurrection in 1502 using tempera paint applied to a wooden panel support.
Pietro Perugino created The Resurrection in 1502 using tempera paint applied to a wooden panel support. The work measures 27 centimeters in height and 45.7 centimeters in width, classifying it as a small-scale religious painting. The medium of tempera on panel was a standard technique for the period, allowing for the detailed depiction of the main subject, the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, alongside figures such as soldiers and men.
The painting is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Its formal execution reflects the artist's established style within the genre of religious art, utilizing the durable materials typical of early 16th-century Italian panel painting.
History & Provenance
The Resurrection, a tempera-on-panel painting by Pietro Perugino (Pietro di Cristoforo Vannucci), was created in 1502. The work depicts the Resurrection of Jesus Christ alongside soldiers and other figures. Currently, the painting is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it remains part of the museum's holdings.
While the specific commissioning details and the full chain of ownership prior to its arrival at the Metropolitan Museum of Art are not detailed in the provided records, the work's inception is firmly dated to the year 1502. The piece measures 27 centimeters in height and 45.7 centimeters in width, classifying it as a small-scale religious artwork from the early 16th century.
Pietro Perugino's tempera-on-panel painting, The Resurrection, created in 1502, is currently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The work, measuring 27 by 45.7 centimeters, depicts the Resurrection of Jesus alongside soldiers and other figures. While the Metropolitan Museum of Art serves as its permanent location, the provided sources do not specify a unique inventory or accession number for the piece.
Furthermore, the available documentation contains no record of specific past or future exhibitions where this work has been displayed, limiting the historical account of its public presentation to its institutional custody.
Overview
Pietro Perugino, an Italian artist of the early Renaissance, completed The Resurrection in 1502. This tempera painting illustrates the biblical event of Christ's emergence from the tomb. It showcases Perugino's characteristic approach, blending narrative clarity with a serene landscape.
The work is presently part of the collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, representing a key moment in the development of Renaissance painting.
Context
As a prominent figure of the early Italian Renaissance, Pietro Perugino played a significant role in shaping the artistic landscape of his time. His association with the Umbrian school is evident in the painting's serene atmosphere and balanced forms. Perugino's workshop was influential, notably training artists like Raphael, who would go on to define the subsequent High Renaissance period, building upon the foundations laid by his master.
Artist & collection
Artist
Pietro Perugino (US: PERR-ə-JEE-noh, -oo-; Italian:; born Pietro Vannucci or Pietro Vanucci; c.
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene
Madonna and Child
Portrait of Lorenzo di Credi![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [right panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--7d9a2b1f47b9fc9b-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [right panel]
Saint John the Baptist; Saint Lucy![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [left panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--1017dec17318baa5-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [left panel]![The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [middle panel], by Pietro Perugino](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/pietro-perugino--the-crucifixion-with-the-virgin-saint-john-saint-jerome-and--a9b4c312771e3f71-w320.webp)
The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, Saint Jerome, and Saint Mary Magdalene [middle panel]
Resurrection of Christ
