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Home » Special Events » Museum Exhibits and Educational Series » Hall of the Crucifixion
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The masterpiece of noted Polish artist Jan Styka, The Crucifixion is the largest framed mounted to canvas painting in the world, standing 195' long by 45' high. Shown is just the middle, one-third of this magnificent work.
What makes The Crucifixion so impressive is not its size, but its detail. "It is not just a great painting," said George Stout, President of the International Society for the Preservation of Museum Objects, when he inspected it, "it is many masterful paintings within a painting."
Above, is a family group in which John, the beloved disciple, comforts Mary, the Mother of Christ. Kneeling in the dust, Mary Magdalene prays in desperation for her Lord.
Mounted on his white horse, the Centurion Longinus, fearful of the uncertain temper of the crowd, shouts orders to his soldiers.
The painting leads all eyes to its focal point: Jesus standing alone. Unlike most portrayals of The Crucifixion, Styka chose to depict Christ in the emotional moment before his execution.
The Crucifixion has inspired and renewed the faith of millions of people, including Pope John Paul II. We invite you to be inspired as well. Presented daily with The Resurrection in a dramatic recorded narration, open every day except Mondays, from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM.
In 1894, Ignace Paderewski, noted musician, statesman, and Premier of Poland conceived a painting of The Crucifixion of Christ and inspired fellow countryman Jan Styka with the idea. For two years, the artist studied and sketched in the Holy Land--and on his way back to Poland, Styka knelt in Rome before Pope Leo the XIII to have his palette blessed. The gigantic canvas, made to order, awaited his return.
The first exhibition in Warsaw was marked by all Europe as the great religious and artistic event of the century. In 1904, Styka brought the painting to America hoping to see it displayed at the St. Louis Exposition, but no suitable place was found. Pressed with obligations and expenses, he was forced to return to Poland without his masterpiece. He never saw it again.
The Crucifixion was lost to the world until news of its existence reached Dr. Hubert Eaton, Founder of Forest Lawn. After a lengthy search, he located and purchased the painting in 1944 and set in motion the work that would lead to its permanent display.
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