“The Baptism of Christ” by John Edward Carew (c.1782-1868)

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The Baptism of Christ

John Edward Carew (c.1782-1868)

c.1835

Stone

St John the Baptist Church

Bristol Street, Brighton

This was originally the reredos in the chancel of St John the Baptist, but it was moved when the church was decorated by Nathaniel Westlake, and installed in the new baptistery added to the church in 1889. Here, it is behind the font rather than the altar. Not only is it easier to see, but it looks very fine in this position. [Continued below]

The work in its setting

Photograph, caption, and commentary by Jacqueline Banerjee, 2010/11.

You may use this image without prior permission for any scholarly or educational purpose as long as you (1) credit the photographer and (2) link your document to this UR or cite it in a print one.

The light falls from above on the life-size figures, accentuating the meaning and the grace of the composition. The comment that Carew "worked in the neo-classical style, though with occasional baroque influences, especially in his religious work" (Wroth) rings true here. In fact, Ian Nairn and Nikolaus Pevsner go much further: Their comment on this piece is: "Remarkably good; in the Baroque tradition, not at all neo-classical" (432).

Bibliography

Nairn, Ian, and Nikolaus Pevsner. Sussex. The Buildings of England series. London: Penguin, 1965.

Wroth, W. W.., rev. John Turpin. "Carew, John Edward (c.1782-1868)." Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.. Online ed. Web. 12 May 2011.

Last modified 12 May 2011