The Shadow of Deathis a religious painting by the English painterWilliam Holman Hunt,on which he worked from 1870 to 1873, during his second trip to theHoly Land.[1]It depictsJesusas a young man prior to his ministry, working as a carpenter. He is shown stretching his arms after sawing wood. The shadow of his outstretched arms falls on a wooden spar on which carpentry tools hang, creating a "shadow of death" prefiguring thecrucifixion.The arch of the window also creates a natural halo around the head of Christ. His motherMaryis depicted from behind, gazing up at the shadow, having been looking into a box in which she has kept the gifts given by theMagi.
| The Shadow of Death | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Artist | William Holman Hunt |
| Year | 1873 |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Dimensions | 214.2 cm × 168.2 cm (84.3 in × 66.2 in) |
| Location | Manchester Art Gallery,Leeds Art Gallery,Art Institute of Chicago,Chicago |
Background and interpretation
editIn 1850 Hunt's colleagueJohn Everett Millaishad already portrayed Jesus as a budding carpenter, helping his father as a young boy. Millais' painting,Christ in the House of his Parents,had been viciously attacked by critics because of the alleged squalour of the workshop. Hunt repeats many features of Millais's painting, but emphasises Jesus' physical health and muscularity.
Hunt's portrayal of Jesus as a hard-working adult craftsman and labourer was also probably influenced byThomas Carlylewho repeatedly emphasised the spiritual value of honest labour.[2]It also corresponds to the emergence ofMuscular Christianity,the view of writersCharles Kingsley,Thomas Hughesand others, who promoted physical strength and health as well as a vigorous pursuit of Christian ideals in personal and political life. Carlyle had strongly criticised Hunt's earlier depiction of Jesus inThe Light of the World,identifying it as a "papistical" picture because it showed Jesus in regal clothing.[3]The portrayal of Mary's thriftiness (by carefully "saving" the gifts) also fits the emphasis on working class financial responsibility promoted by contemporary evangelical publications such asThe British Workman.
The painting contains detailedtypologicalsymbolism, referring to the theological significance of Christ's role and identity. This may be related to Millais's contemporaneousVictory O Lord!.[4]
Exhibition
editDiaristFrancis Kilvertdescribes a visit to see the painting on display in 1874, the year after its completion. His entry for 27 June 1874 reads, "I regret to say that against good advice and wise warning I went to see Holman Hunt's picture of the Shadow of Death. It was a waste of a good shilling. I thought the picture theatrical and detestable and wished I had never seen it."[5]
The painting was a popular success and was widely reproduced as an engraving. The profits made possible the donation of the original to the city of Manchester in 1883. It is now held by theManchester Art Gallery.[6]
In 1913Lillian Williamsonled an attack on theManchester Art Gallery.She,Evelyn Manestaand Annie Briggs waited until the gallery was closing and then proceeded to break the glass on many of the most valuable paintings in including the "Shadow of Death", two byJohn Everett Millaisand two byGeorge Frederick Watts.Staff were alerted by the sound of broken glass and the three were apprehended. Williamson was sentenced to three months in prison.[7]
Versions
editThe original was donated to the city of Manchester in 1883, entering the collection of theManchester Art Gallery,where it resides to this day.[6]
Hunt also painted a small-scale version of the composition in 1873. Hunt expert Judith Bronkhurst describes it as "harder and crisper in appearance than the Manchester painting". It was sold for £1.8 million in 1994, which at that time was the highest price paid for a Pre-Raphaelite painting.[8]It is held inLeeds Art Gallery.
The third and final version was commissioned by the art dealersThomas Agnew & Sonsin March 1873. It changed hands over the century until it was acquired byAndrew Lloyd Webberin 1994. It was sold at auction tothe Art Institute of Chicagoin 2021.[9]
References
edit- ^Stott, John (2006).The Cross of Christ.Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. p. 23.ISBN083083320X.
He spent 1870-1873 in the Holy Land, and paintedThe Shadow of Deathin Jerusalem, as he sat on the roof of his house.
- ^Bronkhurt, J.,William Holman Hunt: A Catalogue Raisonné,2006, p. 226.
- ^Hunt, W.H.Pre-Raphaelitism and the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood,1905
- ^"William Holman Hunt's The Shadow of Death".victorianweb.org.Retrieved9 August2024.
- ^Kilvert, Francis (2 April 2009)."A Wiltshire Diary".Penguin Adult.Retrieved9 August2024– via Google Books.
- ^ab"Title Details".Retrieved9 August2024.
- ^"Manchester Art Gallery Outrage | Manchester Art Gallery".Manchester Art Gallery.8 March 2016.Retrieved30 April2018.
- ^Bronkhurst, Judith,William Holman Hunt: A Catalogue Raisonné,Yale University Press, 2005, p. 232.
- ^Hunt, William Holman (1873–1874),The Shadow of Death,retrieved10 August2024
External links
edit
- The Shadow of Deathin the Manchester Art Gallery