When the English Pre-Raphaelite painter, William Holman Hunt (1827-1910), finished his painting, The Light of the World (1854), it became a sensation throughout the Christian world. Hunt was still in his twenties, yet, the picture became the most important Victorian English religious image of its day—and engraved renditions (like the 1870 version, shown above) were printed for hanging in homes, hospitals, schools and religious spaces.
In the picture, Jesus is shown standing before a door, knocking. The door (the human heart) is locked-tight, overgrown with weeds and, in fact, it has no exterior knob. It can only be opened from the inside. Jesus holds a lantern which radiates the light of conscience; His halo radiates the light of salvation. Hunt worked on the painting for several years, striving to properly portray the early dawn light. After a trip to Bethlehem, where he saw "a perfect sunrise," he was able to complete the daybreak to his satisfaction.
Over five decades, Hunt painted three versions of the picture. The original version was painted between 1851 and 1854. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy, London and, in time, it was presented to Keble College, Oxford. It was hung in the college chapel and visitors were charged a small admission to see the picture. It hangs in the Keble side chapel to this day which is open to the public. Here is a LINK to the Keble College webpage about the original painting.
In 1856, Hunt painted a second, smaller version—very similar, with minor differences. In 1912, this copy was purchased by the Manchester City Art Gallery where it remains today.
And, in 1904, Hunt—now in his seventies—was commissioned to paint a life-sized version to be hung in Saint Paul Cathedral, London. However, before it was installed in the Cathedral, it was sent on a world tour (1905-1907) where people came to view it by the thousands. In Australia alone, it is estimated that 80% of the island-continent's inhabitants traveled to see the picture.
The print above, from an etching by William Henry Simmons (1811-1882), was published in London in 1870. Here it is shown in a rustic devotional frame—complete with criss-crossed "Oxford corners." Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome interpretation of an important work of art.
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