The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-03-25
MnemOsynes
Pictures
"The Repentant Thief" @. J. Tissot)

"The Repentant Thief" g. J. Tissot)
Any one who was privileged to see
the premier exhibition of Tissot's
| paintings of the life of Christ will
never forget the impression that these
pictures made. The first sensation
was one of surprise; for, in spite OF
hearsay, no one was prepared for the
miniature like littleness of each paint
| ing. Then, next one was brought to
a sudden realization of the effect that
the view of these pictures had on the
idle throng of sightseers-those who
came to be amused, and remained to
worship. They entered with jests upon
their lips. They were impressed by
the intense stiffness which shocke
them into silence; and after they had
made the round of the exhibition they
| left as reverently as if they had really
made the stations of the cross.
! 1t was wonderful wonderful; and of
all the beautiful pictures there, none
was more impressive than the picture
of the crucifixion, which is called ''The
Repentant Thief" 1t depicts a scene
of tumult. The great body of the
crowd is silent; but about the low
hanging bodies on the crosses a few of
the Roman soldiers and the frantic
| rabble are haunting Jesus. These have
not noticed the gathering darkness.
Neither have the three faithful wom-
en-, who pressed close to the cross;
but many of the superstitious have,
and they, with crossed fingers are
sneaking away. 1t was just at this
moment that the poor wretches, who
were cruciffed with Him, caught the
hideous infection. 1t would seem as if
fAI CIT IL
ness deepened.
Whether it was the increasing dark
ness, whether it was the patient majes-
ty of that glorious victim, whether it
was a dawning memory of some low
ing service Mother Mary had per-
formed in the Egyptian wilderness, or
the chance hearing of the Masters
teachingthat now bore fruit. we do not
know; but one of the robbers turned
to Jesus, as the gloom increased, and
uttered that intense appeal: "Remem-
Der me when Thou contest into Thy
kingdom"
This is the picture. He hangs on the
cross between the two thieves. 1t is
a little loftier than either of the other
two crosses, and on a white wooden
tablet fastened over the head of the
Son of Man is the inscription, THE
King of the Jews" Even on His cross
he reigns. The repentant thief has
twisted his body at the cost of in
finite torture, and is looking at this
strange man who maintains, unbroken,
his kingly silence.
AS the thief looks he recognizes the
innocence which radiates from Him
like a halo. A flame leaps up on the
ashes of his sins. Love is born; and
the thief, remembering those distant
days when they were children, when,
perhaps, he saved the life of the Virgin
and her child, asks just to be remem-
bered.
Then Christ, who had been mute to
all the revilings. answered instantly
this humble prayer. He looked into
the eyes of the dying robber and spoke,
To-day shalt thou be with Me in par
adise." This is the purport of Tissot's
picture. The spiritual majesty of the
King of the Jews, the nervous agony
of the unrepentant, and the relief of
the forgiven are all painted here. But
the repentance of the thief is the
theme. He has looked into the face
of God, and, as he looks, the darkness
fades. For his faith has frightened
into an eternal day.