The Acme of Praise.—Fifty-two years ago Ruskin, referring to Holman Hunt’s
“Light of the World,” wrote : “Examine the small gems on the robe of the
figure. Not one will be made out in form, and yet there is not one of all
those minute points of green colour but it has two or three distinctively
varied shades of green in it, giving it mysterious value and lustre.”
Yesterday two men stood among the crowd before the replica painting at the
Museum. “See that clasp arrangement across the chest,” remarked one to the
other in a whisper that, although meant to be confidential, was
nevertheless audible to his immediate neighbours, “that’s real, you
know—stuck on—not painted—don’t the stones shine?” A nodding assent was
the only reply from his companion, reverentially feasting on the beauty of
“one of the noblest works of sacred art ever produced.”
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