William Holman HuntWilliam Holman Hunt

1827-19101827-1910

By: Cristina PlatterBy: Cristina Platter

BiographyBiography

William Holman Hunt was born on April 2, 1827 in London, William Holman Hunt was born on April 2, 1827 in London, EnglandEngland

At age twelve, Hunt became interested in further exploring At age twelve, Hunt became interested in further exploring the arts of drawing, reading, and painting.the arts of drawing, reading, and painting.

Between the ages of 17 and 18, Hunt was enrolled in the Between the ages of 17 and 18, Hunt was enrolled in the Royal Academy school.Royal Academy school.

Upon enrolling in the Academy, Hunt made the Upon enrolling in the Academy, Hunt made the acquaintance of John Millais, who would later form as a acquaintance of John Millais, who would later form as a fellow member of the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood.fellow member of the Pre-Raphaelites Brotherhood.

““Hark 1” was Hunt’s first painting which was submitted to Hark 1” was Hunt’s first painting which was submitted to the Royal Academy.the Royal Academy.

Hunt received recognition and awarded for “The Two Hunt received recognition and awarded for “The Two Gentlemen of Verona” at Liverpool, which is seen as his Gentlemen of Verona” at Liverpool, which is seen as his greatest achievement from his earliest paintings. greatest achievement from his earliest paintings.

His most famous painting, “The Light of the World” came His most famous painting, “The Light of the World” came after much discouragement from his work, as he after much discouragement from his work, as he transitioned to the farming industry.transitioned to the farming industry.

Bibliography continuedBibliography continued

In January of 1854, Hunt left England and In January of 1854, Hunt left England and traveled to Syria and Palestine with hopes of traveled to Syria and Palestine with hopes of understanding its people and the understanding its people and the circumstances from the past that had resided circumstances from the past that had resided in Judea.in Judea.

Here he received a lot of inspiration, and Here he received a lot of inspiration, and later returned to Jerusalem in 1875 to paint later returned to Jerusalem in 1875 to paint “Triumph of the Innocent” also known as “Triumph of the Innocent” also known as “Flight into Egypt.”“Flight into Egypt.”

In 1885 the new version of this piece was In 1885 the new version of this piece was completed. completed.

He passed away on September 7, 1910.He passed away on September 7, 1910.

GenreGenre

Hunt concentrated on Hunt concentrated on History and Religion History and Religion within his paintings.within his paintings.

His paintings included His paintings included landscaping elements landscaping elements along with portraits of along with portraits of both family and both family and friends.friends.

Here the landscaping Here the landscaping in “The Scapegoat” is in “The Scapegoat” is a prominent feature.a prominent feature.

In “The Scapegoat, a In “The Scapegoat, a combination of genres combination of genres were used such as were used such as landscape painting landscape painting and animal picture. and animal picture.

““Triumph of the Triumph of the Innocents” AKA “Flight Innocents” AKA “Flight into Egypt” into Egypt” To begin, “Triumph of the Innocents” was painted in oil To begin, “Triumph of the Innocents” was painted in oil

on canvas between the years 1883-1884.on canvas between the years 1883-1884. The painting cites a specific account taken from the The painting cites a specific account taken from the

Apostle Matthew Chapter 2 verse 14.Apostle Matthew Chapter 2 verse 14. As the persecution of newborn boys by King Herod As the persecution of newborn boys by King Herod

persisted violently, “Triumph of the Innocents” shows persisted violently, “Triumph of the Innocents” shows the primary figures of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus the primary figures of Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus fleeing to Egypt for refuge.fleeing to Egypt for refuge.

The presence of numerous children’s spirits, The presence of numerous children’s spirits, represents the many killed under King Herod’s law represents the many killed under King Herod’s law while he searched in vain for “The King of the Jews.”while he searched in vain for “The King of the Jews.”

Their spirits serve as leaders for the Holy Family as Their spirits serve as leaders for the Holy Family as they move along in a procession.they move along in a procession.

The group of three small boys in the left portion of the The group of three small boys in the left portion of the painting represent their waking from earthbound painting represent their waking from earthbound death.death.

““Triumph of the Triumph of the Innocents” AKA “Flight Innocents” AKA “Flight into Egypt”into Egypt” The painting also consists of both large and small orbs of The painting also consists of both large and small orbs of

which it is suspected contain a naked figure, snake, and a which it is suspected contain a naked figure, snake, and a tree.tree.

In the orb closest to the front, a lamb is contained. The lamb In the orb closest to the front, a lamb is contained. The lamb is a symbol of Christ or “the lamb of God” is a symbol of Christ or “the lamb of God”

The very last group of boys are shown leading the The very last group of boys are shown leading the procession. Of this leading group of three seen in the far procession. Of this leading group of three seen in the far right hand corner, one of the children drops a vine, and right hand corner, one of the children drops a vine, and another is getting ready to throw a palm leaf before the feet another is getting ready to throw a palm leaf before the feet of Christ Jesus.of Christ Jesus.

This palm is symbolic of the martyrdomThis palm is symbolic of the martyrdom The odd surface upon which the children stand on The odd surface upon which the children stand on

represents Hunt’s symbolism of water as “the stream of represents Hunt’s symbolism of water as “the stream of eternal life.”eternal life.”

The floating bubbles that are seen, Hunt describes as The floating bubbles that are seen, Hunt describes as “magnified globes which image the thoughts rife in that age “magnified globes which image the thoughts rife in that age in the minds of pious Jews’.”in the minds of pious Jews’.”

““Triumph of the Triumph of the Innocents” AKA “Flight Innocents” AKA “Flight into Egypt”into Egypt” One holds a bird which is symbolic of the soul, One holds a bird which is symbolic of the soul,

soon to fly away.soon to fly away. Another group of boys seen with garlands of Another group of boys seen with garlands of

flowers, are also holding spring flowers at the flowers, are also holding spring flowers at the bottom of the painting.bottom of the painting.

““Hunt intended this to be decoration for Hunt intended this to be decoration for sacrifice.”sacrifice.”

The next boy is seen alone examining a cut on The next boy is seen alone examining a cut on his shirt, while the blow to his side has already his shirt, while the blow to his side has already been healed. been healed.

In conclusion, the paintings setting is made to In conclusion, the paintings setting is made to depict the landscaping of the road to Gaza.depict the landscaping of the road to Gaza.

Pre-Raphaelite Pre-Raphaelite BrotherhoodBrotherhood A period dating from 1848-1900A period dating from 1848-1900 This brotherhood consisted of This brotherhood consisted of

other famous artists such as John other famous artists such as John E. Millais, William H. Hunt, Dante E. Millais, William H. Hunt, Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and others Gabriel Rossetti, and others initiated this movement.initiated this movement.

BibliographyBibliography

http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgrhttp://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?cgroupid=999999961&workid=6986&searchid=oupid=999999961&workid=6986&searchid=85498549

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-of-month/displaypicture.asp?venue=2&id=79of-month/displaypicture.asp?venue=2&id=79

http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-http://www.liverpoolmuseums.org.uk/picture-of-month/furtherReading.asp?of-month/furtherReading.asp?id=79&venue=2id=79&venue=2

http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/H/HU/http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/H/HU/HUNT_WILLIAM_HOLMAN.htmHUNT_WILLIAM_HOLMAN.htm

http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/whh/http://www.victorianweb.org/painting/whh/genreov.htmlgenreov.html