See the Crucifixion and Resurrection paintings accompanied by an 18-minute video presentation on the history of the artworks, why they are at Forest Lawn, and the architecture of the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection.

Located next to Forest Lawn Museum, the Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection showcases the Crucifixion (195 ft. x 45 ft.), which is the largest painting in the Western United States. It was painted by Polish artist Jan Styka in the 1890s. The building also houses the Resurrection (70 ft. x 51 ft.), which was painted by American artist Robert Clark in 1965.

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