Giovanni Bellini ca. 1430 – 1516

Resurrection

oil on canvas (148 × 128 cm) — 1475-79 Gemäldegalerie der Staatlichen Museen, Berlin

Giovanni Bellini biography

This work is linked to Matthew 28:2

Three women approach the tomb from the background. One of them, Mary Magdalene, is dressed in white. They intend to anoint Christ's body. But the door is already open, and Christ floats above the world. Two soldiers look up in amazement; a third soldier is still sleeping.

The fourth man, barely dressed, is also a soldier. His nakedness is thought to be a reference to the pagan world which has now come to an end. Christ has risen, the Christian era has begun.

Bellini originally painted the scene on a panel. It was later transferred to canvas.

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