The Scapegoat 1854

"The Scapegoat" (1854) by William Holman Hunt is a Pre-Raphaelite painting depicting a scene from the Book of Leviticus. The artwork depicts a single goat standing on a barren shore as a rainbow arcs overhead. The goat, adorned with a scarlet ribbon, is intended to symbolize the sins of the Israelites. The image is stark and dramatic, capturing the sacrifice and redemption found in the biblical narrative. The painting is a powerful example of the Pre-Raphaelite movement's interest in religious themes and its emphasis on detail and realism.