What you see here goes to the heart of our Christian beliefs. Jesus has risen from the dead. As a radiant light that casts out the darkness, He is depicted in front of the grave in which He was laid to rest. The victor. The reason for this masterpiece is less festive. The painting is part of a funerary monument. The names of the departed are carved into the stone beneath the painting. This Antwerp couple was famous in the seventeenth century: Jan Moretus and Martina Plantin, descendants from the world-famous printer’s family. The risen Jesus that triumphantly adorns their funerary monument represents the hope of every Christian: that all men may eventually share in Jesus’ victory.
Resurrection of Christ
If they ask you how you are
don’t say stolen. Don’t say forgotten, passed over,
ignored. Don’t you dare say Orphan.
Don’t say beaten by the system
oppressed and disturbed
and don’t you dare say disappointed
don’t you dare say damaged.
Smile.
Smile with all of your teeth, even the rotting ones.
Even the rotting ones.
Resurrection of Christ
Martina Plantin is depicted twice in our Cathedral. When she was a child, Jacob De Backer included her in the funerary monument for her parents, Christophe Plantin and Joanna Rivière. This work from 1591 can be admired in the chapel on the other side of the sacristy.
Resurrection of Christ
Christ emerges triumphant from the sombre grave, surrounded by a radiant light. His powerful build, His upward movement, the palm branch He is holding and the banner He leans on all emphasise His triumph over death. The baffled soldiers who are guarding the tomb have no idea what is happening. The painting expresses the hope that the angels may also free ordinary mortals like Jan Moretus and Martina Plantin from the realm of the dead. On the side panels we see their patron saints that help champion this cause: John the Baptist and the Holy Martina. The famous couple was buried not far from this place in our Cathedral. As Christians they believed that Jesus would return as a victor at the end of days to raise them from the dead and welcome them to the salvation of God.
