Who painted The Light of the World?
The Light of the World (painting) Engraved reproductions were widely hung in nurseries, schools and church buildings. The Light of the World (painting) The Light of the World (1851–53) is an allegorical painting by the English Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt (1827–1910) representing the figure of Jesus preparing to knock on an overgrown and long-unopened door, illustrating Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me". According to Hunt: "I painted the picture with what I thought, unworthy though I
The Light of the World (painting) population viewed it. Due to Hunt's increasing infirmity and glaucoma, he was assisted in the completion of this version by English painter Edward Robert Hughes (who also assisted with Hunt's version of "The Lady of Shalott"). Hunt was buried in St Paul's. A third, smaller version of the painting, painted by Hunt in pastels between 1851 and 1856, is on display at Manchester City Art Gallery, England, which purchased it in 1964. The painting gave rise to much popular devotion in the late Victorian period and inspired several musical works, including Arthur Sullivan's 1873 oratorio "The Light of the World".