A NOTABLE PICTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8088, 19 April 1906, Page 2

A NOTABLE PICTURE.

The replica of Holinun Hunt's famous picture, "The Light of the World" —a work which has been pronounced by art critics to be one of tlio finest examples of the pre-Raphaelite School in existence—has arrived in the colony, and is now on view in Auckland.

The original " Light of the World " was painted in 1852, and now hangs in Keble College, Oxford, and a small re,plica was mule of it four years later ;

but in 1890 the work under notice was painted life-size, md measures 10

ft Bin by 4ft Gin. When the original was paiuted the artist was working with Millais—one of the brotherhood. Millais was busy at the same time with an ivy-clad wall. Hunt worked by candlelight in an orchard from 9 p.m. to 5 n.ni., in a little hut made of hurdles. " The Light of the World,"

"The Shadow of the Cross," and" The Lady of S'.uhJttwhii'h Hunt had in his mind for fifty years and only rea. ] Used recently—illustrate the painter's three periods, varying in foroe, but always steadfast and true to the pre* Raphaelitc principle. The picture now on view is an allegory. The subject symbolises the beautiful and expressive words in the 20th v#rse of the third chapter of Revelation:

"Behold I staud at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him, aud ho with Me." The Saviour stands in an orchard at night, holding a lantern in his hand. Ripe fruit lies 011 the grass beneath the troos whenco it has fallen. He knockß at tho door—the door of the human soul—but it is barred, and ivy clings to it, and weeds, such as brambles aud nettles, grow rankly on the threshold, the whole symbolising the trammels of ignorance, sloth, and prejudice. Christ, in His everlasting offices of Prophet, Priest, and King, wears the white robe representing the power of the Spirit upon Him. The jewelled cloak and jewel-studded breastplate are the sacerdotal investure. The raised crown of gold is inwovon with the crown of thorns, not dead thorns, but now bearing soft leaves for the healing of nations. When Christ enters any human heart He bears a twofold light. First, the

light of conscience, which displays past sin, and afterwards the light of peace, the hope of, salvation. The

dome-shaped lantern carried in Christ's left hand is the light of conscience. its illumination is red and

fierce, and the glow it casts is almost ( as intense as firelight. It is suspended by a chain wrapped about the wrist, indicating that the light which i reveals sin appeal's to the sinner also to chain the hand of Christ. The light which proceeds from the head of the figure, on the contrary, is that of the hope of salvation. It spriugs from the crown of thorns, and, although subdued, melts into the glow in the form of leaves aud boughs which it intercepts, showiug that every earthly object must be hidden by this light where its sphere extends. The white robe worn by the Saviour is of heavy material, the few aud simple folds, their contour, and unyielding hem indicating the weight and thickness of the garment. The cloak is jewel-studded, giving it the appearance of a mosaic pattern. The lining is scarlet, aid this supplies the dominant note behind the lantern. The exquisite night-blue sky is starlit and reflected in the wator lines beyond the trees. The pompous foreground growth, touched with autumn tints, and elaborate background tree arrangement, are indicated in a colour scheme that falls easily into line with the figure. The owner of thp picture, Mr Chas. Booth, in an English millionaire and art connoisseur, and it is at his desire that the picture is being sent to Australia and New Zealand. Ho pays all expenses in connection with its transport, and all he asks in return is that , men aud women shall see it aud be touched by it as thousands havo been. According to present arrangements, the picture is to bo brought from Auckland to Parlmerston North on 1 Monday. It is to be hoped an effort 1 will bo mado by the New Plymouth ; people to induce Mr Mack Jost, who is travelling with the picture, to givo ■ an exhibition here for a few days.