Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection

Regular Schedule: The  audiovisual program is available TUESDAY-SUNDAY in the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection at the following times:

10 AM

11 AM (with Spanish subtitles)

Noon (with Chinese subtitles)

2 PM

3 PM (with Spanish subtitles)

4 PM (with Chinese subtitles)

No entry after 4 PM.

Additionally, the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection is closed the following days:

January 14 (all day)

January 15 (opens at noon)

January 30 (all day)

January 31 (all day)

February 1 (closed all day for Black History Month Event)

February 4 (all day)

February 5 (all day)

February 6 (all day)

February 18 (all day)

February 19 (all day)

In the news: learn more about the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection in the New York Times. 

The Crucifixion

The Crucifixion painting, by Polish artist Jan Styka, was originally brought by Styka to the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis in 1904. Because of its massive 195 foot long/45 foot high size, he was unable to display it and was forced to return to Poland without it because he could not pay the duty to take it home. Styka, whose self-portrait is seen in the painting as the figure of Saul (Paul), died in 1925 without ever seeing his painting again.

The Crucifixion was stored in several warehouses over the years until Forest Lawn Founder Dr. Hubert Eaton and his colleagues located it at the Chicago Civic Opera company in 1943. Forest Lawn purchased it after World War II and built the Hall of the Crucifixion for the express purpose of displaying Styka’s work. It opened on Good Friday in 1951.

The Resurrection

The Resurrection was commissioned after a 25-year-long search for an epic painting that would serve as a companion to the Crucifixion. A contest was held and American artist Robert Clark was selected to create the painting. Featuring Christ outside his tomb looking towards the heavens, Clark’s work was completed in 1965.