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Robert Lucas

Abstract

About the Cover

 

Christ and the Virgin in the House at Nazareth, 1640

 

Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598-1664)

 

Spain, 17th century, Oil on canvas, Framed: 201 x 256 x 10 cm (79 1/8 x 100 13/16 x 3 15/16 in.); Unframed: 165 x 218.2 cm (64 15/16 x 85 7/8 in.), Leonard C. Hanna, Jr. Fund 1960.117

 

Image Credit: Cleveland Museum of Art

 

Stories of Christ’s childhood and adolescence became increasingly popular during the Counter-Reformation because they were easily understood by a broad public. Rather than taking a story from the Bible, Zurbarán appears to have invented this subject, in which Jesus pricks himself on a crown of thorns he is weaving, foretelling his later torment at the Crucifixion. Despite the grand scale and monumental figures, the work has remarkable intimacy and quietness, emphasizing such details as the Virgin’s tears.

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About the Cover
Author Biography

Robert Lucas, Case Western Reserve University; member of the World Association of Medical Editors

-BA, University of Akron, 2001 -MA, University of Akron, 2003 Rob Lucas has over 20 years of nonfiction editing experience. His documentary, "Stella Walsh," screened at 35 film festivals, including Cannes, Austin, Florida, and Slamdance.