BELLINI, Giovanni
(b. ca. 1426, Venezia, d. 1516, Venezia)

Resurrection of Christ

1475-79
Oil on panel transferred to canvas, 148 x 128 cm
Staatliche Museen, Berlin

This painting originates from the chapel Marino Zorzi in the mortuary church of San Michele di Murano. It was attributed to Cima da Conegliano, then to Previtali, Bartolomeo Veneto and Basaiti. The painting was acquisited by the Berlin Museums in 1903 and after a thorough cleansing Bellini was unambiguously established as the author.

In this painting the artist follows Northern currents in his scrutiny of nature. Mystical yet realistic, his combination of faith and focus gives the painting a singularly convincing quality, its theme of resurrection a comforting one for the painting's funerary setting.

Suggested listening (streaming mp3, 3 minutes):
Guillaume Dufay: Hymn for Easter