The Resurrection, from The Passion of Christ, plate 24

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Resurrection*, plate 24 from Grégoire Huret's *The Passion of Christ*, an exquisite 1664 engraving that captures one of Christianity's most triumphant moments: Christ's rising from the tomb. French artist Grégoire Huret, a master engraver of the Baroque era, crafted this work amid the religious fervor of 17th-century Europe, vivid depictions of biblical narratives served to inspire devotion and educate the faithful. As part of a larger Passion cycle—likely 24 plates in total—this print would have been a devotional staple, allowing widespread access to sacred scenes through affordable reproductions. Huret's engraving technique shines in its intricate line work, with fine cross-hatching and tonal gradations creating dramatic light and shadow that evoke the miraculous burst of divine energy. Measuring nearly 20 by 14 inches on its sheet, the large format amplifies its theatrical impact, characteristic of Baroque art's emphasis on emotion and movement. Produced via intaglio printing, where ink is held in incised lines on a metal plate, engravings like this preserved painterly details for mass distribution, bridging elite art with everyday worship. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (acquired via the Harris Brisbane Dick Fund in 1953), it reminds us of printmaking's pivotal role in spreading Counter-Reformation imagery, blending artistry with spiritual power.

About the Artist

Grégoire Huret · 1606–1670

French draftsman and printmaker. Comment on works: Engraver & draftsman