The Holy Women at the Tomb of Christ, 1890 (oil on canvas) Bouguereau, William-Adolphe (1825-1905)
Scenes of Christ’s Passion and Resurrection are amongst the most familiar images from the life of Christ. The French artist William-Adolphe Bouguereau chooses the episode we know from all four gospel narratives. It is the moment when the holy women who have come to anoint Christ’s body find that the tomb is empty. Intrinsically dramatic, Bouguereau heightens the viewer’s expectations though an arresting story-telling device. Rather than dwell on the empty tomb, what we encounter instead is these women’s reactions to the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection. Dressed soberly in costumes which suggest biblical times the women register their shock and confusion through gestures. The viewer, like the women gazes into the tomb only to be confronted by the angel who announces to the women that Jesus has risen. Together with the angel’s commanding presence the mysterious white light which fills the space beyond the entry to the tomb evokes divine power. It is as if the tomb has been transformed by the miracle of Christ’s victory over sin and death. Bouguereau asks us to put ourselves in the place of these faithful, courageous women. Like these women we too are invited by the angel to “go quickly and tell his disciples” of Christ’s Resurrection. This divine call to action compels us to respond with the same love and faith as those women two thousand years ago.
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