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Christ in the House of His Parents ('The Carpenter's Shop')

Image credit: Tate

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Notes

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This is Millais's first important religious subject, showing a scene from the boyhood of Christ. When it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1850 it was given no title, but accompanied by a biblical quotation: 'And one shall say unto him, What are those wounds in thine hands? Then he shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends.' (Zech. 13:6) Christian symbolism figures prominently in the picture. The carpenter's triangle on the wall, above Christ's head, symbolises the Holy Trinity. The wood and nails prefigure the crucifixion, as does the blood on the young Christ's hand, which he has cut on a nail, and which drips onto his foot. The young St John is shown fetching a bowl of water with which to bathe the wound. This clearly identifies him as the Baptist, and the image is extended by the white dove perched on the ladder, symbol of the Holy Spirit, which descended from Heaven at the baptism of Christ.

Tate Britain

London

Title

Christ in the House of His Parents ('The Carpenter's Shop')

Date

1849–50

Medium

Oil on canvas

Measurements

H 86.4 x W 139.7 cm

Accession number

N03584

Acquisition method

Purchased with the assistance of the Art Fund and various subscribers 1921

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

date inscribed

Tate Britain

Millbank, London, Greater London SW1P 4RG England

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