The Resurrection of Christ

About the Artwork

According to Christian belief, three days after his death by crucifixion, Christ rose from the dead and ascended into heaven. König’s interpretation of this traditional theme employs vivid colors and explosive poses to express the drama of the event. Meticulous brushwork delineates exquisite details, and draws attention to the luminous landscape and the three holy women hastening towards Christ’s vacant tomb.

Inscriptions

Signed and dated lower left: Johan. : König / 1622

Provenance

until 1813: Count Joseph Franz Anton Wunibald Andreas Saturnin, Truchseß [Steward] zu Waldburg-Zeil-Wurzach [1748–1813], Cologne, Wurzach and Vienna by 1796, until 1813 between 1814 and 1820: Among 81 paintings purchased from the Truchsessian collection by Ludwig I, Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt and Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine [1753–1830] 1820: Presented by Ludwig I to the Großherzogliches Museum, Darmstadt, 1820 1830-1854: Deaccessioned from the Großherzogliches Museum, Darmstadt, between 1830 and 1854 by 1920s: Collection Wilhelm Kreis [1873–1955], Düsseldorf, probably by the 1920s 1955-2007: Bequeathed by Wilhelm Kreis to his nephew and godson, Helmut Arntz [1912–2007] 2007-2012: By descent to his son, Joachim Arntz, by whom sold 2012: (Lempertz, Cologne, November 17, 2012, no. 1126, sold to a consortium of dealers including Konrad Bernheimer [Colnaghi] and Otto Naumann) 2012-2014: (Colnaghi, London / Bernheimer Fine Old Masters, Munich [2014])

Exhibition history

Recent Acquisitions. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (March 17-June 7, 2018).

Quick Overview

Artist: Johann König (German, 1586–1642)
Date: 1622
Medium: oil on copper
Dimensions: Unframed: 61 x 46 cm (24 x 18 1/8 in.)
Type: Painting
Classification: Painting
Department: European Painting and Sculpture
Credit line: Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
Accession no.: 2017.192

More by Johann König in museum collections

The Death of Adonis
Johann König
ca. 1625 · Drawing
Public collection via the Metropolitan Museum of ArtAT-00022469

Data retrieved from the Cleveland Museum of Art on October 8, 2026. The museum may have updated its record since.