ART & ARCHITECTURE
OF CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH
v
Christ the King by Valentine d'Ogries
the altarpiece of Corpus Christi Church
Christ the King, reputedly depicted with the features of Rev. George Barry Ford, stands wearing a kingly crown and the priestly robes of Christ the High Priest. Behind him are SS. Peter on the right and Paul on the left. The black and white tiles of the actual church floor continue into the picture space, showing that Christ is truly present in the church. Before the reforms of Vatican II, the silver tabernacle was directly in front of the painting, where the lilies are in this photograph, further reinforcing the message of Christ's presence.
The left wing from top to bottom depicts the creation of Eve, the Cumaean Sibyl or St. Helen (we're working on this identification), and the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The right wing balances these scenes with the Annunciation, the prophet Isaiah, and the Crucifixion.
The altarpiece was donated in 1947 by Frances R. McEwen in memory of her husband, Paul.
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