"THE LIGHT OP THE WORLD".

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13586, 7 May 1906, Page 7

"THE LIGHT OP THE WORLD".

(Fboh Our Owjt Corbespondekt.)

WELLINGTON, May 6. A Very large number of people have already been to see Holman Hunt's picture "lie Light of the World." The opinions expressed' regarding it are varied, but all ii)r e *\? re , -t colouring is wonderful, Mr Mark Jost, who is in eliargo of the wcturo, tolls me that in Australia" and INow Zealand it has already been viewed by about throc-quaJtere of a million people, the picture shown is a replica of the original, but larger, and, in the opinion of the artist, it was a bolter work'than the original, which hangs in Keblo College, Oxford, liuskin has .a famous criticism of "The Light of the World," and Ins verdict, after a long analysis of its spiritual meaning leads him to the conelusion: I believe thero aro very few person's oil whom this picture, thus justly understood, will not produce a deep impression. For my part, I think it is one ot the very noblest works of sacred art ever produced in this or any other ape." his Pre-Raphaelißm" and "The PreRaphaelite Brotherliood," Holman Hunt quote a very different criticism of (jarjylcs. Carlyle bad called on Hunt just as the picture was completed. Ho spoke in terms of disdain" as he looked l upon Hunt thus reports his oaustic remarks: Ynu call that thing I ween a picture of Jesus Christ. Now, you caiinot gain any profit, to yourself exccnt in a mere pecuniary sense, or a profit to anyone elso on earth in putting into shape a. more papastieal fantasy like that, for it can only . -■> an inanity or a delusion to everyone that may look on it. It is.a poor, misshaped presentation of the noblest, the nrotherliest, and the most heroic-minded bomg that ever walked God's earth : I)o von ever suppose that Jesus walked' about bedizened m priestly robes and n < crown, and with yon jewels on His breast, and a gilt aureola round his head? Ne'er crown or pontiGcial robe did tlia world e'er give to such as Him. Well, if you wean to. represent Him as the spiritual Christ, vou have chc6en the form in which He has beentravcfitied from the beginning by worldlings who have recorded thnir o\v n jmbition's asfx*, repeating Jndas's betrayal to the high nriests. Ton should, think frankly of His antique, heroic soul.-"If you realised His character at jill, ■ you wouldn't try to make people go bjel- and worship the image that the priests have invented of Him to keep men's silly souls m mesne* of slavery and darkness. Don't voii see that you're helping to make people believe what you know to bo false-what .you donlfc lielie youreelf? 'Tie only empty rpake-beliove, mere pretended fancy, to do the like of which is the worst of occupations for a man to lake to."