Christ and Buddha 1880

"Christ and Buddha" is an oil painting by Paul Ranson completed in 1880. The painting depicts the two religious figures in an almost symmetrical composition, with a crucified Christ in the upper half and a seated Buddha in the lower half, seemingly separated by stylized plant life. The use of strong color contrasts, particularly between the yellow-orange background and the green of the Buddha, creates a striking visual impact. This artwork is considered a notable example of symbolism in art, a movement that favored the use of symbolic imagery to convey meaning and evoke emotions.