The Resurrection of Christ

About this artwork

signatuur en datum, op de pul op de voorgrond: PV [verticaal] 1605

Art Historical Context

Behold *The Resurrection of Christ* (1605), a masterful silver plaquette crafted by Paulus Willemsz van Vianen, a leading Dutch goldsmith from Utrecht. Measuring 31 cm high by 22.3 cm wide and just 1 cm thick, delicate relief captures the triumphant biblical moment when Christ rises from the tomb, surrounded by watchful soldiers and divine light. Van Vianen's signature—PV vertically inscribed on the foreground jug, alongside the date 1605—authenticates this gem from the early Dutch Golden Age. As a Northern Mannerist artist, van Vianen belonged to the illustrious van Vianen family of silversmiths, renowned for their intricate chasing and repoussé techniques that brought fluid, almost sculptural depth to flat silver sheets. Silver plaquettes like this were prized Renaissance luxury items, often collected by the elite as devotional or decorative pieces. In post-Reformation Netherlands, such Protestant-friendly religious scenes blended spiritual fervor with artistic virtuosity, showcasing the goldsmith's skill in rendering dynamic figures and textures—from Christ's flowing robes to the jug's reflective curves. This work highlights the era's fusion of craftsmanship and faith, inviting viewers to marvel at its shimmering surface and enduring message of hope. A testament to van Vianen's precision, it remains a rare survivor of 17th-century silversmithing excellence.