On Easter Sunday, Christians celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. This black chalk drawing by Michelangelo shows Christ emerging from his tomb. The drawing is a depiction of explosive movement. Christ’s right leg is planted firmly on the lip of his open sarcophagus, his left rests on top of the lid, his arms are thrown triumphantly heavenward. His winding cloth, thrown off, swirls around him.

The strong sense of movement is enhanced by the revisions Michelangelo made to the placement of Christ’s hands. Outlined several times, these slight alterations contribute to the impression of Christ’s sudden, miraculous movement. 

Michelangelo’s handling of the black chalk in tiny stippled strokes make his drawings some of the greatest achievements of Western art.