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The Light of the World

Image credit: Manchester Art Gallery

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Painting in the shape of an arched doorway. Standing at a wooden doorway with rusted hinges and overgrown with ivy and weeds, in an orchard, is the forward-facing, full figure of Christ wearing a crown entwined with the thorns of the Passion, now covered with leaves. The light of his halo is in contrast to the blue dusk visible through the branches of the background trees. Over a plain robe, he wears a jewelled cloak (or pallium) clasped across the chest with a jewelled brooch. With his right hand he knocks at the disused door; in his left hand he carries a lantern, which throws light on to his robes and the doorway, and casts a warm glow across his face and his right hand. In the foreground are scattered apples from the surrounding fruiting trees and the lights of glow-worms.

Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester

Title

The Light of the World

Date

1851–1856

Medium

oil on canvas

Measurements

H 49.8 x W 26.1 cm

Accession number

1912.53

Acquisition method

purchased from M. Knoedler & Co., 1912

Work type

Painting

Inscription description

Signed in monogram at right bottom corner: Whh

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Manchester Art Gallery

Manchester Art Gallery, Mosley Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester M2 3JL England

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