HOLMAN HUNT IN JERU. SALEM.

Press, Volume XLIV, Issue 6902, 7 November 1887, Page 6

HOLMAN HUNT IN JERU. SALEM.

In the technological room of our Museum there is an engraving known as " Christ in the Temple." The original of that picture was painted by Hohnan Hunt, who is better known, perhaps, through his picture, " The Light of the World." This distinguished artist has been contributing a series of papers to the Contemporary, In which he has narrated the circumstances under which his famous works have been produced. In this ntimber the artist concludes the story of how 'The Scapegoat' came to be painted. The inoffensive painter, was on one occasion mistaken for a brigand, and had a narrow escape of his life. At another time he was challenged to a duel with a Prussian doctor, and this in the Holy city itself. At the last moment, however, the duel was prevented by a ludicrous incident, and doctor and painter sat down together to coffee and tobacco. In due course the Scapegoat was finished. On being exhibited no one would give the artist's price, which was 400 guineas, except the artist would*part with the copyright as well. This at last the artist was forced to do. The original picture has lately been sold at Christie's for £1400. In the article before us, Holman Hunt gives some particulars as to the manner of producing his work " Christ in the Temple." Each of those marvellous heads in the picture is the result of minute and patient study of persons actually living in Jerusalem. The.' background of this picture is the distant slope ot Mount Olivet from the platform of Mount Morlah. How was the artist to get a view of it? Since 1244, no Chrisitian had been permitted to ascend the Mosque which crowns Moriah. Sir Moses Menteflore had recently done so, but then he was an Israelite indeed. After a goodd*?alof parley ing, Holman Hmib gained the coveted privilege. In English costume, but shoeless, and with a large sketch-book under his arm, escorted by the handsome .ustodiah, he entered tho sacred enclosure. It was a moment in life to moke a man's heart stir, as the door turned on its hinges aud the way into the king dreamed of and wished for sanctum was really open. Arrived at the top, the magnificent view spread itself out before him, and its salient features were quickly transferred to his sketch-book, and the artist returned to his rooms with a laudable feeling of triumph and satisfaction. The artist's remarks oa the Mosque generally are- well worth copying :—

" From the day when Salem was first spoken of as the city of Melchisedec, when Abram was blessed by the possessor of _baven andearth, this veryfspot had been the centre of inspiration to the three races— the Jewish, the Christian, and the Mahotnmedan—who worshipped the God of Abraham. Had the J»ews still possessed It, there would have been signs of bloody sacrifice such as the modern world could not tolerate as apart of the service of God. Had any sect of Christians held it, the place wOuld have been desecrated either by tinselled dolls and tawdry pictures, or else by the staring ugliness and class vulgarity of the English and Prussian service. In the case of the Moslem there was not an unsightly, not a shocking object in the whole area. It was guarded, oh! so fearingly and lovingly; and it seemed a temple so purified from the pollution and perversity that involuntarily the text 'Here will I take my rest fpr ever * rang in my ears." '•"*