The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1873-03-09
Mr.. Holman Hunts Picture.

This important painting, the largest Of
MIR. Hunts works, has occupied him more
than three years and is now finished, 1t
comprises life-size figures of Christ and
the Virgin in the workshop, of Joseph at
bethlehem, the time being that of the ces-
sation of labor just before tho setting of
the sun. 1t is styled "The Shadow of
| Death" and represents o provision Of the
Crucifxion. The bright, golden light of
the sun enters the chamber from the front
| OF the picture, filling it with lustre, and
railing full on the erect figure of Jesus. in
the full development of youthful man
hood. The room contains the implements
OF Joseph's craft as a carpenter, bench
and tools the floor is tbickly strewed
with shavings; an open window behind
shows the Landscape, with shadows spread
ing at the bases of the hills the fields are
all in glow. The Virgin kneels before
large casket, with her back towards Ms;
her head is turned from us while she looks
at the shadow of Cbrist's figure ON the
wall. Her Son, finding the time for ceas-
ing to work, has arrived, has risen nearly
to his full height, and stands, his arms
OF prayer, and he looks upward, praying
earnestly. His eyes are cast upward, his
lips are parted, the thick masses of bis
curling hair fall on his naked shoulders.
He wears broad waist cloth of white,
embroidered in red; his head and feet are
the Jews wore, lies on the ground before
him. The attitude and expression of this
figure are of the most intensely pathetic |
character. Its forms being of the noblest |
masculine beauty, are instinct with vital
energy and devotion. The action is that |
of presagefnl mind, which welcomes rest |
from labor and that end of trouble pre-
signifed by repose. AS Christ is standing
thus with arms outspread, in the full light
OF the low sun, the shadow is projected on
The wall of the room at his full size, and
thus it suggests the attitude of a sufferer
on the cross. 1t is this shadow which has
attracted the attention of the Virgin, who,
as we have said, kneels before Golfer, of
which she has just raised the lid. With
sudden action she has turned towards the
omen. The artist intends to suggest that
he Virgin observed that her Son, ever
in life, and now il man, devoted
himself to the duties of his home, and, as
yet, showed no signs of the accomplish
nent of those prophecies which were said .
o be connected with his career, 80 that {
he questions herself about the honors t
which attended his infancy. AS if to con- I
'ince herself of their reality, she has open |
q the casket where are stored the gifts of {
he Kings, tho crown, incense, etc. While $
penlng this. the shadow of sorrow which !;
as caught her eye by it's ominous form. AL =
hough her face is hidden from us, her n
motions are perfectly expressed by her at t
tude. Tho strainipg of her head in the b
ct of turning, the grasp of her somewhat O
tasted hands on the Golfer, the very SIT II
ing of her blue robe and it's accoinpani. a
tents about her form, seem to take part in q,
nd render distinct to US her surprise and "
am. This description may, for the pres a.
ut, sn1ice, as our readers will soon be able 8,
} Judge for themselves, if we are right in d.
eclaring this to be not only the noblest =
I'd best of Mr.. Hunts pictures, but one of
10 masterpieces of modern art. So thor
Ugh is its execution, that in briliancy of &C
lor and force of painting it has hardly
'er been surpassed. Tho drawing and CT
odellng of the principal figure leave
thing to be desired. The flesh is paint N
with such solidity aud completeness, ~ ~
tn golden tint mixed With and under ~
ing the carnations, that tho figure seems
solutely solid the effect of the whole
'ture is so powerful as to be steroscopic
Its fOrceful relieving on the ground. 1t
'uld be hard adequately to describe the Ito
'e of Christ at another time we may es- !
: TO do so. We are sure the artist has
herto produced nothing so fne.-Lon-
. AthenGnum.
IEnhecila Orna in