Jean Leon Gerome (1824-1904),
Les Rameaux (Christ Entering Jerusalem), 1897, 32 x 10 x 30 inches. Brigham Young University Museum of Art, purchased with funds provided by Jack and Mary Lois Wheatley, 2009.
Today is Palm Sunday, the Sunday before Easter, traditionally celebrated as the day that Jesus Christ entered Jerusalem days before His Crucifixion. As He entered Jerusalem, pressing crowds paved the path with palm fronds, shouting praises and declaring Him to be their Messiah. Only a few days later, the crowd would denounce and condemn Him.
'And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.
And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.'
Matthew 21:8-9