What radiancy of glory, what light beyond compare! before 1865

This photogravure is from an unknown artist and was made at an unknown date. The illustration, “What radiancy of glory, what light beyond compare!” is part of a book that combines religious imagery and verse. The image depicts a religious scene in soft focus and subtle tonal gradations, which evoke a sense of reverence. The gathered figures look upwards towards the light. The book’s design, with facing pages of poetry and illustrations, signals a common Victorian-era practice where literature and art were combined as a means of moral instruction. This book was likely made for private devotion and domestic display, reflecting the 19th-century middle-class values of piety and refinement. Understanding this artwork fully requires looking into the history of illustrated books and religious publishing. It also needs an understanding of the cultural role of religion in 19th-century Europe and how it shaped personal and social identities.