Resurrection Of Christ 

Agnolo Bronzino likely painted this ‘Resurrection of Christ’ in Florence during the mid-16th century. Its subject, naturally, relates to the religious culture of the time, but Bronzino gives it a particular treatment that reflects his own place in the social order. The key here is Bronzino’s position as court painter to the Medici dukes. The Medici family exerted huge political, economic and cultural influence in Florence and beyond. They were major patrons of the arts, and Bronzino’s style seems to reflect their values. Note the somewhat artificial, mannered poses of the figures. Rather than raw emotion, we see carefully controlled expressions and idealized bodies. This emphasis on elegance and refinement speaks to the tastes of a sophisticated, aristocratic audience. The painting seems less concerned with religious piety than with showcasing the Medici’s wealth and power through the display of artistic virtuosity. To understand this work fully, we can consult letters, diaries, and other documents to better understand Bronzino’s relationship to the Medici court and the artistic conventions of the time.