Resurrection of Christ Jesus (SAU 041) Poster

Done in vibrant spring colours, this traditional image was inspired by mediaeval Gothic prototypes. It depicts Christ at the very moment he rises from the tomb. + Because cliff-side rock-cut tombs were not common in Western Europe, Christ’s tomb here is a rectangular stone box standing above ground in the manner of Roman sarcophagi. Its lid, having been removed by an angel who is not pictured, lies on a diagonal across the opening behind Jesus. The tomb is surrounded by a half dozen or so of Roman soldiers. Most of the soldiers are still asleep but one or two begin to react with amazement to the scene unfolding above them. Clad in pristine white drapery, Jesus hovers above them with his bare feet not yet completely free of the tomb. He is framed by a mandorla, an almond-shaped radiance edged with stylised sun rays. He carries a “Resurrection Banner” in his left hand. The banner is suspended from a tall, thin cross and bears a cross--more pink in colour than the customary red--on a white field. The banner represents Christ’s victory over death. His right hand faces the viewer palm outward. The gesture is one of greeting or triumph as opposed to blessing (cf. our VVP 08). The wound left by the nail with which that hand was fastened to the cross is clearly visible as is the wound in his side where he was pierced with a lance. + Below the scene is a quote from Scripture. It reads: “Surrexit… sicut dixit”, that is, “He is risen… even as he said” (Matthew 28:6 – ASV [American Standard Version]) + Image Credit (SAU 041): Antique image in chromolithography entitled Surrexit… sicut dixit [He is risen… even as he said] originally published by the Socièté de St. Augustin, Bruges, Belgium, late 19th century, from the designer’s private collection of religious ephemera.