Creator

Preview

image preview

Description

Steel engraving.

The Life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ : Containing Universal History from His Birth to the Crucifixion, Resurrection and Ascension ; Together with the Lives, Transactions and Sufferings of the Apostles and Evangelists ; and, History of the Jews ; To which is added a Continuation of the History of the Jews to the Present Time / by John Fleetwood.

Reverend John Fleetwood's work was first published in 1841. Many editions were to follow, including this “illuminated edition” of 1870 that features illustrations by Gustave Doré (1832–1883). A literary review of Fleetwood’s Life of Christ in Godey’s Magazine, Volume 77, 1868 reads:

“There have been many books pretending to treat of the Life and Mission of Christ and His Apostles, but in too many cases, only from doctrinal or denominational stand-points. These might do for a theological student, but for the masses who wish for plain, practical, truth-like reading, they will never answer. It is refreshing, therefore, that we turn from these one-sided theories to the very able and excellent edition of Fleetwood's with copious notes and additions by that eminent Biblical scholar Rev. J. Newton Brown D.D. When we say that this edition has no superior, we speak from the book, and we doubt if its equal can be found…”

Analysis

According to scholars, the scene of Christ being presented to the people by Pilate is the second most common of the images of the Passion in art, after the scene of the Crucifixion. This single representation was chosen for its reverential tone. The figure of Jesus is bright in contrast to the dark figure of Pilate, who stands facing away from Jesus with a hand on his shoulder. Christ wears a robe wrapped around his shoulders and on his head is the Crown of Thorns. His hands, crossed in gesture of humility, hold a whip against his chest. His head is lit by a bright aura. Having been scourged and mocked, he stands before an enormous and angry crowd with a face of compassion.

Rights

Artwork in the public domain

Share

COinS