The Light of the World

E35084

The Light of the World is a famous religious painting by William Holman Hunt that depicts Christ knocking at a door, emblematic of the Pre-Raphaelite movement’s detailed realism and spiritual symbolism.


Statements (46)
Predicate Object
instanceOf painting
religious painting
artistAssociation William Holman Hunt was a founding member of the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
artStyle detailed realism
symbolism
colorPalette rich, glowing colors
countryOfOrigin United Kingdom
creator William Holman Hunt
culturalImpact influential in Anglican devotional practice
widely reproduced in prints and devotional materials
depicts Christ knocking at a door
Jesus Christ
closed door without exterior handle
crown of thorns on Christ
halo around Christ’s head
lantern held by Christ
overgrown vegetation around the door
genre Christian art
hasSymbolism closed door as human heart
lantern as Christ bringing light
light as spiritual illumination
night setting as spiritual darkness
overgrown plants as neglect of spiritual life
hasVersion Keble College Oxford version
Manchester Art Gallery version
St Paul’s Cathedral London version
iconography door set in a wall
standing frontal figure of Christ
starry or darkened sky background
inspiredBy Revelation 3:20
languageOfTitle English
location Keble College, Oxford NERFINISHED
Manchester Art Gallery
St Paul’s Cathedral, London
medium oil on canvas
movement Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
notableFor combination of realism and spiritual allegory
popular devotional image
religious influence in Victorian Britain
religiousContext Christianity
subjectHeading Christ as the Light of the World
theme Christ’s invitation to the human soul
redemption
spiritual awakening
timePeriod Victorian era
title The Light of the World

Referenced by (6)
Subject (surface form when different) Predicate
Pre-Raphaelite art
William Holman Hunt
notableWork
Keble College, Oxford ("The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt")
hasArtwork
Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple ("Christ as light to the nations")
hasTheme
The Light of the World ("Christ as the Light of the World")
subjectHeading
The Light of the World
title

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