The Savior

Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Savior, ca. 1900-1905, oil on canvas mounted to plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.191
Copied Henry Ossawa Tanner, The Savior, ca. 1900-1905, oil on canvas mounted to plywood, 29 1⁄8 x 21 3⁄4 in. (73.9 x 55.3 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins, 1983.95.191
Free to use

Artwork Details

Title
The Savior
Artist
Date
ca. 1900-1905
Location
Dimensions
29 1⁄8 x 21 3⁄4 in. (73.9 x 55.3 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Robbins
Mediums
Mediums Description
oil on canvas mounted to plywood
Classifications
Subjects
  • Portrait male — Christ
  • Religion — New Testament — Christ
Object Number
1983.95.191
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1983.95.191

Artwork Description

The story of Christ’s crucifixion occupied Henry Ossawa Tanner’s mind throughout his career. The Savior shows Jesus meditating as he waits for his crown of thorns and purple robe, in which he would be mocked as the “King of the Jews.” Tanner portrayed him as a real person in contemplation and prayer rather than as an idealized figure. But the yellow color in his face and outlining his profile is like a glowing light that suggests Christ’s uniqueness as a spiritual being, able to transcend flesh and blood.