The Light of the World

from the sources

• The painting depicts Jesus about to knock on an overgrown, long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20. en.wikipedia.org

  “representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20”

• The door in the painting has no handle, so it can only be opened from the inside. en.wikipedia.org

  “The door in the painting has no handle, and can therefore be opened only from the inside, representing "the obstinately shut mind".”

• The first version was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854 and is now in the side chapel at Keble College, Oxford. en.wikipedia.org

  “It was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1854 and is now in the side chapel at Keble College, Oxford.”

• The first version is in oil on canvas and was completed in 1854. en.wikipedia.org

  “In oil on canvas, it was begun around 1849 or 1850 and completed in 1854.”

• Martha Combe, widow of Thomas Combe, donated the painting to Keble College in the year after his death. en.wikipedia.org

  “The painting was donated to the college by Martha Combe, the widow of Thomas Combe, Printer to the University of Oxford, Tractarian, and a patron of the Pre-Raphaelites”

• A second, smaller version is at Manchester City Art Gallery, which bought it in 1912. en.wikipedia.org

  “A second, smaller version of the work, painted by Hunt between 1851 and 1856, is on display at Manchester City Art Gallery, England, which purchased it in 1912.”

• Christina Rossetti sat for the head of the figure after Hunt felt he had secured the male character in the head. en.wikipedia.org

  “What [the author of the article] says about Miss Christina Rossetti sitting for the head . . . is true,”

• Engraved reproductions of the painting were widely hung in nurseries, schools and church buildings. en.wikipedia.org

  “Engraved reproductions were widely hung in nurseries, schools and church buildings.”