The San Francisco call., 1896-12-19
"CHR|ST BEFORE PLATE"
The Replica, by Nelson A
Primus of Boston, Is
Exhibited
It Will Be Shown Every Night Next
Week to Audiences of the
Co umbia Theater.

A private view of a copy OF the famous
painting, "Christ Before Plate" was
given yesterday afternoon at the Colum-
bia Thea:er All who saw the picture
were invited by Messrs. Friedlander,
description of it, so that an intelligent
idea of what it represented could be had.
During the afternoon stream of people
passed through the theater doors to see
the painting.
After leaving the sunlight the change
was so great that a first impression of the
picture was not satisfactory. The electric
light shining down upon large canvas
was disturbing. The colors appeared TO
be largely dominated by browns
This feeling soon wore away, however,
on becoming accustomed to the dark
theater and the lighted picture, stretching
full across the stage. Then the life-SiZe
figures came out strongly, and by degrees
matters of detail in drapery and features
began to show themselves, and the effect
was quite pleasing.
The picture was painted by Nelson A.
Primus in Boston and has been exhibited
in several cities. 1t will be shown every
night next week to Colum bia audiences as
a com pliment to patrons of the theater.
The following description of the paint
ing was given yesterday to those who
viewed it:
Shows the interior of the Praetorium, a
large, square apartment, lighted through an
opening i'll the ROOF, with Christ standing in
the foreground facing PLATE, before whom
Caiaphas is making violent speech OF accusa-
tion. Groups of judges and curious spectators
on the ri ght and mob composing the worst ele-
ments of the population fl ling the background
on the left. Only three personages can be def
nitely identified byname, Christ Plate and Gaia
phas. The hign priest, Caiaphas, stands erect
at the right of PLATE; on a seat which extends
along projection of the lower stair of the
judgment seat is typical Pharisee, rich and
insolent. figure which occupies promi-
nent position is the scribe, perched nigh on
seat against the wall; at the right of the Gov
ernor sit two Judges behind Caiaphas and
Pharisee appear three priests, who are dis
cussing "the case; to the lett OF the judg-
ment seat sit two other priests.
One-third OF the Praetorium at the left, and
the vestibule, which opens on d sunny, ORR
entail landscape, are filled with the surging
and raging multitude. They threaten to
crowd into the Judgment hall, bnt Roman
To the left of Christ an impudent, knavish
scoffer bends on one side and leans over the
railing to sneer in the face of the Savior. On
the left of the soldier rude fellow lifts both
arms in the air and cries out with wide open
mouth, "Crucify himp' Tnus giving the pass
word to the turbulent mob in the background.
III the midst of the narrow-minded, fanatical
multitude stands young mother holding
child in her arms, looking com mpassionately,
almost believing on Christ. This is the only
female figure in the composition and hers is
the only face expressing pity for the accused
Thus it acts as foil intensifying by compari-
son the hatred md malignity in the faces by
which 1t is surrounded.
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