Tue 11 Mar: Images of Jesus in Art and Poetry - 'The Light of the World'
This is the first of five talks for Lent arranged by Churches Together in Charlbury on the theme 'Images of Jesus in Art and Poetry'. They will be held on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm in St Mary's Parish Church.
The first speaker is Professor Markus Bockmuehl from the University of Oxford. He will be speaking about the artist, William Holman Hunt, and his famous painting 'The Light of the World' which was donated to Keble College chapel 150 years ago.
'The Light of the World' is often said to be the most widely exhibited work of art in history and remains one of the best known Christian paintings to this day. Prof. Bockmuehl has edited a new book, 'Holman Hunt and the Light of the World in Oxford' which he will draw on for his talk.
He will be looking at the painting in a number of different ways, touching on the extraordinary artistic flourishing associated with the Oxford Movement, the renewal of faith and practice in the mid-nineteenth century and the painting's impact on the religious and cultural life of the British Empire. It was taken on a world tour which served not just spiritual edification but also the promotion of imperial values. The book includes reflections on the colonial past as well as illustrations of religious art's ability to engage relevantly with contemporary concerns.
There is no charge for admission but donations will be gratefully received towards expenses. Please arrive in good time for a prompt start to the talk at 7.30pm. There will be opportunity for questions and the meeting will finish by 9pm.