Opstanding van Christus 1618

Editor: So, this is Nicolaes de Bruyn’s “Resurrection of Christ,” an engraving from 1618 housed at the Rijksmuseum. The busyness of the scene and the detail packed into every corner is pretty remarkable. I am struck by the dramatic contrast between light and shadow; it’s almost theatrical. What exactly am I looking at here, in your opinion? Curator: Theatrics is spot on. Imagine the 17th century and the rise of the Baroque, seeking emotion and drama. De Bruyn captures the precise moment Christ bursts forth from the tomb – angels casually rolling away the stone, soldiers completely knocked off their feet… all lit as if staged. I imagine he enjoyed making the ordinary moment become… *BOOM*... extraordinary, full of light and power. Do you sense the tension in the scene? Editor: Definitely! The sleeping soldiers and the stunned onlookers create an interesting sense of dynamism within this small, static work. It’s also impressive how he creates depth using only line and hatching in a print. Curator: Right? He wields line like a conductor directing a symphony, creating light out of darkness, revealing the divine narrative as something explosive. Do you think the scene might suggest a new reality emerging out of the depths? A light piercing through? Editor: I do. Now that I think about it, it suggests rebirth and new beginnings. Thanks! Curator: And now I want to consider the potential of the void before transformation. Thanks!