Back to gallery
The Pharisee and the Publican

Art Appreciation

In this poignant depiction, we observe a stark contrast between two figures standing apart in a vibrant crowd. A man clad in a dark robe bends low, arms wrapped tightly around a column, suggesting a deep sense of contrition or need for solace. This posture embodies a raw vulnerability, contrasting sharply with the aloofness of those surrounding him. The expressions of the other figures, dressed in lighter robes and adorned with distinctive headgear, reveal a spectrum of emotions—some appear contemplative, while others exude a sense of detachment, their eyes gazing upward with a dignified air.

The interplay of light and shadow in this artwork is particularly striking. The somber tones framing the despairing figure envelop him, drawing the viewer’s eye towards the source of his anguish. The use of negative space invites contemplation, as if the surrounding figures are anchoring the weight of their judgment and perceptions upon him. This scene evokes not only the setting of a religious narrative but also deeper themes of humility and pride, outside societal expectations, compelling us to confront our own judgments and the nature of forgiveness.

The Pharisee and the Publican

John Everett Millais

Category:

Created:

1864

Likes:

0

Dimensions:

2782 × 3473 px

Download:

Related artworks

Elgiva seized by order of Archbishop Odo
The Tares (The Parables of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ)
Cathedral interiors a pair 1858
Parish of San Román in Toledo
The poem Endymion on Latmos.
Night Scene from the Inquisition
The Immaculate Conception
Studies of heads, hands and ears for Non angli sed angeli1
At the Entrance to the Mosque