Francis Hoyland (1930- )
Oil on board
120 x 90 cm
1962
Methodist Modern Art Collection
HOY/1963/2
Image Copyright © Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes. The Methodist Church Registered Charity no. 1132208
Biblical commentary
Matthew 27:35–36, 38–39 John 19: 25–27 Luke 10: 30–35 Luke 15: 11–32
In Hoyland’s central Crucifixion, set in an English landscape, St John stands on the left and Mary on the right. Below, in descending order, are the Last Supper, Jesus praying on the Mount of Olives, Judas betraying Jesus, and the entombment, with Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus.
On the right is the Good Samaritan story. In descending order, the traveller is mugged and left for dead; a priest and another (the Levite) pass by, but the Samaritan helps and calls an ambulance. On the left is the Prodigal Son story. In descending order, the son leaves home; sexual gratification is followed by penitence; he returns home (by bicycle) to reconciliation and a welcome meal; finally, a further reconciliation, or perhaps the father and his other son talking.
Commentary based on A Guide to the Methodist Art Collection.