Friday, May 6, 2011

Shadow of Death - William Holman Hunt


Shadow of Death
by William Holman Hunt (1827-1910)
I think the different themes are fascinating.

If you're not familiar with this painting, read this Wikipedia squib. I don't think they catch all of the symbolism, but it has some interest tidbits.


5 comments:

Rosanne E. Lortz said...

Interesting symbolism... but what person really stretches their arms like that? :-)

Bethany said...

Yeah...seriously.

Before we actually studied this painting in school, I just thought it was a guy rejoicing or praising or something.

I don't think of it as stretching...I think of it as submitting to the will of and praising the victory of the Father.

Death is a shadow, while Jesus arms are raised in triumph, blessing, and praise.

Yeah. I like thinking about symbolism. Anyways...

Happy Homemaker said...

Yes, I confess that I would not have guessed he was stretching his arms. Also, what did they mean that Mary keeping the gifts was thrifty? It was smart!

Edith said...

I really really like this painting, which I had seen before (and had read the Wikipedia article). I agree with Miss Pickwickian about Jesus' "submitting to the will of and praising the victory of the Father." Although I hadn't thought of it that way before - I thought on the most obvious level perhaps Jesus was rejoicing in a beautiful day. C'mon, y'all - don't you ever feel like that when the sun submitting to the will of and praising the victory of the Father.is out? : ) I do.

~Edith

Edith said...

Huh, somewhere in there I must have hit paste twice. Sigh. What I MEANT to say was:

"C'mon, y'all - don't you ever feel like that when the sun is out? : ) I do."

And no, I wasn't being funny - sunny days make me think about the New Creation.

~Edith