Pre-Raphaelite - Sanguine Drawing

The arched border of this piece suggests it may be a study from a stained glass window, creating an interesting composition. This highly symbolic image of Jesus holding a lamb alludes to the Christian concept of theLamb of God, which refers to the divine sacrifice of the crucifixion, in which Jesus saved the world from sin. Surrounded by followers, Jesus is depicted here in sanguine chalk, echoing Renaissance and Dutch Golden Age religious drawings. This classical style reminds us especially of Rembrandt'sStudies forSt John the Baptist Preaching(c. 1634).