Auferstehung Christi 1720

Francesco Solimena made this painting of the Resurrection of Christ using oil paint on canvas. These were the typical materials of an academic painter in the late Baroque period. Solimena would have prepared his canvas with layers of gesso, made from animal glue and chalk. This provided a smooth, absorbent ground for the paint. He then built up the image in layers, starting with thin washes of color and gradually adding thicker, more opaque paint. The figures were likely drawn first, then underpainted in monochrome, with glazes on top to create the final colors and luminosity. The smooth, polished finish of the painting, as well as its grand scale, speaks to the artist's skill and the value placed on painting as a fine art in his time. But it also obscures the sheer labor and the process of production involved. Looking closely, you can find the brushstrokes that give life and movement to the scene. Remember, every mark on this canvas was painstakingly made by hand, reflecting both technical mastery and a deeply-held faith. Considering both the physical effort and conceptual intentions allows us to fully appreciate this work.