This depiction of Christ's resurrection is taken from a fifteenth century breviary which was commissioned by Henry Chichele (c.1364-1443), Bishop of St. David's from 1408-1414 and Archbishop of Canterbury from 1414-1443. The breviary is a prayer book setting out the psalms, readings and liturgical texts which formed part of the ‘Offices' or services of prayer prescribed to be recited by clergy, monks and nuns at particular hours of each day.

The image is taken from the office of Matins, a service of psalms and readings, celebrated during the night hours or the early morning. The illustrated initial ‘A', which forms the first letter of the word ‘Angelus', portrays Christ majestically rising from the tomb. He is clothed in blue, a colour which a medieval audience would have interpreted as suggesting heavenly grace as well as the virtue of hope, both themes which are inextricably linked with the Christian's faith in Christ's resurrection. Our Lord is also presented as holding a sceptre in the shape of a cross, suggesting the regal authority which he has gained over the power of sin and death by means of his cross and passion.

The Chichele Breviary was the work of Herman Scheerre, one of the most prominent illustrators of the fifteenth century. Born in Germany, it is believed that Scheere moved to England in 1405 and worked in London for ten years. This breviary, which now forms part of the Library's collection of manuscripts, was the first manuscript in which Scheerre's name was found to be written. According to Kathleen L. Scott, the Chichele Breviary contains a greater number and quality of images than any other breviary from the same period.