"The Crucifixion" and "The Resurrection"
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 x 45 foot high size, he was unable to display it. He was forced to return to Poland without the artwork, 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.
In the News: Read the New York Times feature on the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection
Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection Art Guide
Access videos, archival photos, and audio tours on the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection from our Bloomberg Connects art guide
Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection Closures
"The Crucifixion" and "The Resurrection"
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 x 45 foot high size, he was unable to display it. He was forced to return to Poland without the artwork, 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.
In the News: Read the New York Times feature on the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection
Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection Art Guide
Access videos, archival photos, and audio tours on the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection from our Bloomberg Connects art guide
