Copyright: CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED, Photo: Tate
Curator: This is a print by John Linnell, currently held in the Tate Collections. It depicts the lamentation over the dead Christ. Editor: It's striking, really—the stark black and white conveys such a strong sense of grief. It feels raw and immediate. Curator: Yes, Linnell was deeply influenced by the Nazarenes, who sought to revive religious art with sincerity and moral purity. This print reflects that desire for authenticity, moving away from academic polish. Editor: You can see that influence in the traditional iconography: the Virgin Mary, the angels, all arranged around the body of Christ. The halos, of course, are potent symbols of divinity. Curator: Precisely. Linnell’s engagement with early Christian art was part of a broader movement in 19th-century Britain. Artists and intellectuals looked to the past for spiritual and aesthetic renewal. Editor: The emotion in this image remains so potent. It really makes you consider the enduring power of these archetypes. Curator: Indeed, Linnell captured something essential. It resonates even now.