Jesus Rises from the Tomb, by Edward Burne-Jones

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Jesus Rises from the Tomb

Designer: Sir Edward Burne-Jones

Manufacturer: Morris and Co.

1862

Stained glass

One of five apse windows, All Saints, Selsley, Glos.

Although the windows in the church were the collaborative work of the Morris & Co. partners, this one is attributed to Burne-Jones, as one of the masters of figure-painting (see Jenkins 236). After the Annunciation, shown in the south chancel window, the apse windows follow the main events of the life of Christ, through to his Ascension. Here, Jesus rises from the tomb after the crucifixion and entombment. [Commentary continues below.]

Photographer: Dr. Jim Cheshire, who retains the copyright.

Dr. Cheshire has most generously shared both image and caption material with us. Commentary and formatting by Jacqueline Banerjee. [Click on the image to enlarge it.]

The chief priests and Pharisees had gone to Pontius Pilate requesting watch to be kept over the sepulchre, to prevent the removal of the body by Jesus's followers, and consequent claims that he had risen from the dead — "so the last error shall be worse than the first" (Matthew 27, 64). In other words, his supernatural nature would be deemed proven. Pilate had acceded to the request, and here are the guards, shown in total disarray, variously amazed in front of the tomb as Jesus steps forth, his white linen winding cloth unfurling around him, with a knot at one end: "And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men" (Matthew 28, 4). The scene is shown graphically, the figure still standing in the stone tomb with its slab askew, and contrasting dramatically with the brilliant blue of the sky. Jesus holds a staff: in John 20, 15, Mary Magdalene will mistake him for a gardener.

Related Material

All Saints, Selsley, designed by G. F. Bodley (please click on this link, which provides a list of links to other beautiful Morris windows in All Saints)

Bibliography

"Church of All Saints." Historic England. Web. 25 June 2018.

Jenkins, Simon. England's Thousand Best Churches. Rev. ed. London: Penguin, 2009.

O'Connor, David. "Morris stained glass: 'an art of the Middle Ages.'" In William Morris and the Middle Ages: A Collection of Essays together with a Catalogue of works.... Ed. Joanna Banham and Jennifer Harris. Manchester: Manchester University Press, 1984. 31-46.

Created 5 June 2020