Opstanding van Christus - Jan Punt

A detailed 1745 engraving by Jan Punt, depicting the Resurrection of Christ after a composition by Peter Paul Rubens.

This etching and engraving by the Dutch artist Jan Punt, dated 1745, depicts the Resurrection of Christ. The composition is based on a painting by Peter Paul Rubens, reflecting the enduring influence of Flemish Baroque masters on eighteenth-century printmakers. Punt was a skilled engraver and actor, known for his ability to translate the dramatic energy of oil paintings into the precise, linear language of the copper plate.

The scene captures the moment of Christ rising from the tomb, holding a banner aloft as a symbol of victory. His figure is rendered with muscular definition, contrasting with the dynamic, somewhat chaotic postures of the Roman soldiers below. One soldier is shown in a state of alarm, turning away from the light, while another lies on the ground, seemingly overcome by the event. The use of hatching and cross-hatching techniques creates a sense of volume and texture, particularly in the drapery of the garments and the rugged surface of the tomb.

Jan Punt’s work demonstrates a technical mastery of light and shadow, or chiaroscuro, which is essential for conveying the supernatural nature of the subject. The clouds in the background are etched with fine, sweeping lines that suggest movement and divine presence. By referencing the work of Rubens, Punt connects his own practice to the grand tradition of European religious art. This print serves as a fine example of the reproductive print culture that allowed audiences across Europe to engage with major compositions by earlier masters. The inclusion of the Latin inscription, 'Jesus e sepulcro surgens', provides a direct reference to the biblical narrative found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 28, verse 6.