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.
Yesterday marked the Orthodox Christian celebration of Palm Sunday, the day in which Christ the Savior entered Jerusalem for the last time before His crucifixion. According to scripture, throngs of believers lined the streets, waving palm branches, singing praises, and loudly declaring their belief in the Messiah. However, in this piece, Gérôme omits the pressing crowds, instead leaving only their palm fronds to mark the donkey’s path. In one hand, Christ holds a palm branch—a symbol of triumph and martyrdom—and with the other, He extends a gesture of blessing towards the unseen multitude; yet His face bears an expression of weariness, foreshadowing the agonizing trials yet to come.
Guest author: Catherine Howard
