History of Artist Depictions of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ

CATHOLIC WORLD REPORT
By Sandra Miesel

"The Resurrection of Christ" (right wing of the Isenheim Altarpiece) (1512-1516) by Matthias Grünewald

Sacred images do not instantly spring from the pages of Scripture to gauzy forms on gilt-edged holy cards. Traditional Christian art, like Christian theology, developed slowly as the Church’s understanding of the Gospel deepened and the cultures around her shifted. Early Christian artists did not presume to supplement Scripture. After surveying the long development of Resurrection art as faith made visible, it is crucial to remember that Jesus Christ did not rise for his own sake out of personal distaste for allowing his perfect body to undergo corruption. He rose for “us men and our salvation.” [link]