The Resurrection, from "The Passion of Christ"

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Resurrection*, a delicate engraving from Jan Muller's *The Passion of Christ*, after designs by Lucas van Leyden created around 1615–20. This second state of three the triumphant moment of Christ's rising from the tomb, surrounded by guards and divine light—a pivotal scene in Christian iconography symbolizing victory over death. Produced in the Northern Renaissance tradition, it reflects the era's fascination with intricate religious narratives, where small prints like this one (just 4½ × 3 inches) could be widely disseminated to inspire devotion among the faithful. Muller's mastery of engraving shines in the fine lines and textures that convey dramatic tension: the soldiers' startled poses, the ethereal glow enveloping Christ, and meticulous details in armor and stone. As a reproductive print, it honors van Leyden's innovative style, blending realism with symbolic depth. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (gift of Harry G. Friedman, 1957), this tiny work exemplifies how 17th-century printmaking democratized art, making profound biblical stories accessible beyond grand altarpieces. Step closer to feel its spiritual intensity—such engravings were treasured in homes and churches, bridging the divine and everyday life.

About the Artist

Jan Muller|Lucas van Leyden · 1571–1628

**Jan Harmensz. Muller (1571–1628)** Born in Amsterdam in 1571, Jan Harmensz. Muller grew up immersed in the world of printmaking, as the son of the prominent engraver, publisher, and book printer Harmen Jansz. Muller. He studied under his father, mastering the engraving trade within the family business, The Gilded Compasses. Around 1589, Muller joined the workshop of Hendrick Goltzius in Haarlem...