The Light of the World
William Holman Hunt · 1853
Why it's great
Jesus stands at night in a garden with a lantern, knocking at an overgrown door that has no handle on the outside. Hunt painted it to show that you must open your heart from the inside. It toured the world and was seen by millions. It's one of the most reproduced religious paintings ever.
Where to see it
📍 Keble CollegeOxford, United Kingdom
Open in Maps ↗Hang it on your wall
Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
These links open search results on each shop's own website; we don't sell anything or earn a commission, and print quality varies by seller. Ask a grown-up before you buy anything.
William Holman Hunt was born in London and, with Millais and Rossetti, founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood in 1848. He traveled to the Middle East to paint biblical scenes with realistic backgrounds. His most famous painting is 'The Light of the World'. He died in London in 1910.
