Title of Artwork: “The Shadow of Death”
Artwork by William Holman Hunt
Year Created 1873
Summary of The Shadow of Death
During his second visit to the Holy Land in the years between 1870 and 1873, William Holman Hunt worked on a religious painting titled The Shadow of Death. A youthful Jesus, before beginning his mission, is shown here in the trade he would one day master: carpentry. After sawing a piece of wood, he pauses to stretch.
A “shadow of death” foreshadowing the crucifixion is cast by his outstretched arms upon a wooden spar from which building tools dangle. His mother, Mary, is shown staring up at the shadow from behind; she has just finished examining the box in which she has stored the presents she received from the Three Kings.
Support authors and subscribe to content
This is premium stuff. Subscribe to read the entire article.