Somewhere in the Verdugo Hills, between Downtown Los Angeles and Glendale, lies the largest religious painting ever painted: The Crucifixion. The painting is displayed in the Hall of the Crucifixion, a massive structure which is part of the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale. At the top of the building is a huge cross that lights up at night, making it look like it’s hanging from the sky.
The Crucifixion – a Painting of Gigantic Proportions
The Crucifixion was the masterpiece of Polish painter Jan Styka. What will first strike you when you see this painting is its unusually big size, measuring 195′ in length and 45′ in hight. That is about the width of a four-lane highway!
Styka’s panoramic crucifixion depicts the distressing moment just before Christ’s martyrdom. It is a powerful image. Jesus is standing on the mount of Golgotha, facing the cross where he will die for the sins of humanity.
What makes The Crucifixion so impressive is not its size, but its detail. Jesus stays in the center of the canvas flooded in a supernatural light that seems to be coming from above. He is glancing towards Heaven in acceptance of his upcoming sacrifice. But he is portrayed as a victorious Christ who brings the hope of salvation, rather than the despair of death.
Next to him, are the two criminals who will also be crucified on Golgotha. But unlike him, they deserve the punishment they are about to receive. Also kneeled close to Jesus is Simon of Cyrene, the man who helped carry Jesus’ cross up the mountain.
A little farther away, Mary Magdalene sitting on her knees is crushed with grief: “My Lord, my Lord, why are the punishing you?”
Hundreds of Jerusalem’s citizens, leaders and Roman soldiers are around Jesus. Farther away, in the distance, is the city of Jerusalem where Jesus was judged and condemned.
The Inspiration Behind Styka’s Painting
A remarkable story surrounds this huge painting. Jan Styka was close friends with Ignace Paderewski, a noted musician, statesman, and Premier of Poland. One day Paderewski told him he had an interesting dream about Christ’s execution. Styka felt very inspired by Paderewski’s dream and offered to paint what is considered to be the largest religious painting in the world – The Crucifixion.
Styka was in his mid-30s in 1894 when he began painting The Crucifixion and it took him nearly six years to finish it. He travelled to Jerusalem to prepare the sketches and then to Rome to ask for Pope Leo XIII’s blessing on his palette. But unfortunately, there weren’t many places where he could display such a huge painting. He manages to show The Crucifixion only once, in 1902, in Russia.
The Sad Destiny of the Painting
In 1904 Styka had a new opportunity to display his work when he received an invitation at the St. Louis World’s Fair, in Missouri. Therefore, he loaded The Crucifixion and some of his other paintings on a boat and came to America.
Styka came full of hope, but he had never foreseen the tragic chain of events that would make him loose his major work.
The organizers assured him the exhibit halls were large enough to accommodate his big painting, but they miscalculated. The rooms weren’t big enough, so The Crucifixion was deposited into an warehouse in New York. And if this wasn’t bad enough, all his other paintings have been burned down by a fire that started on the last day of the exhibition.
Stika tried to take The Crucifixion back to Poland, but he couldn’t afford to pay the customs fees. In the end the American government seized his painting. Despite repeated attempts to retrieve his work, Styka had to go back home empty-handed and heartbroken.
The Pilgrimage of the Crucifixion
The Crucifixion remained lost for 40 years, until 1944 when Dr. Hubert Eaton – the founder of the Forest Lawn Cemetery – heard about its existence. Intrigued by the story, Eaton began a lengthy search in an attempt to recover it. But The Crucifixion wasn’t easy to find.
During its 40 years of pilgrimage, the painting changed hands many times. Eventually, he managed to locate it in the basement of the Chicago Civic Opera Company, where it laid abandoned for many years as an old decor.
Hubert Eaton purchased the painting and built a permanent display for it at the Hall of the Crucifixion Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Visiting the Beautiful Resting Place of the Crucifixion
Styka’s masterpiece is one of the hidden gems of Southern California and is now displayed in the The Hall of Crucifixion and the Resurrection, a 900 seat auditorium. The presentation of the painting is in the form of a documentary, with commentaries and specifically composed background music.
The presentation starts in complete darkness with the history of The Crucifixion. Before the curtains part to reveal the entire painting, the narration follows a certain trajectory that takes the viewers from the right corner of the painting – the road to Calvary – towards the final point – Golgotha.
Styka tried to portray the crucifixion as accurately as possible, using stunning details. Although the subject of his painting is a sad one, it conveys a message of hope for those who view it.
The presentation is concluded with another inspiring painting – The Resurrection – which was commissioned much later and executed by American artist Robert Clark. The Resurrection features Christ outside his tomb looking towards the heavens. In front of Him is the New Jerusalem where the faithful are gathered to live with Him for eternity.
The Crucifixion and The Resurrection may be seen in the Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am to noon and 2 pm to 4 pm on the hour.
If you have more than 2-3 days in Los Angeles, I strongly recommend coming to see this magnificent painting.
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Naim
Anda, thank you so much for posting this remarkable story. I have been looking at Forrest Lawns website and did not find anything related to what you have created. My grandmother and grandfather are resting at Forest Lawn and did not know the story behind the painting. Again, thank you very much.
Anda
Thank you for your kind comment, Naim. The Crucifixion is a very unique painting with a very unusual story indeed.
Alan Unterreiner
The picture and the story are astonishingly remarkable and sad at the same time! How does one move a picture that must have been rolled up in a 45 foot long roll maybe 1 & 1/2 to 2 ft in diameter, how? Maybe it was cut into parts? And Mr. Jan Styka suffering the angst and pain of such a loss! Thank you Anda Galffy for putting this remarkable story together for all of us to reflect upon and hopefully to one day visit. Ah, how I wished I would have know this years ago when visiting LA on several different occasions!
Anda
You are very welcome, Alan. Hope you’ll come back to L.A. one of these days and maybe get a chance to visit The Crucifixion. It’s indeed a magnificent painting. And to answer your question, the painting was never cut into parts. Somehow, miraculously, it survived intact.
Brian
Magnificent painting. I would make it a ‘must see’ if you visit LA (probably one of the only things worth seeing). Unfortunately for us, the day we were there, the presentation was not being made. However just to stand at the back of the auditorium and try to take it all in is a thrilling experience.
Anda
Thank you for your comment, Brian.The Crucifixion is indeed one of the most magnificent paintings I have ever seen.
Ami Bhat
What a unique story… I did not know about this painting at all. The whole journey from its creation to being finally found is an interesting one. Even the whole interpretation of the art piece is quite interesting. Thanks for sharing this
Punita Malhotra
Its not often that one finds a complete post on an artwork. 195′ in length and 45′ in height…certainly large enough to warrant detailed attention. Should read up on where to find more of Jan Styka works.
Anda Galffy
Stika is not a very famous painter, but I’m sure you may see some of his paintings in Poland.
Brenda Spencer
I love to visit this painting. I will speak of it in my Sunday lesson. The word Awesome is used too much it should be reserved for paintings such as this and the night sky. God given talents can produce things that are Awesome. Gods beautiful nature, art, music and other talents. This painting draws me closer to the Lord. Thank you for this opportunity.
sherianne
Interesting that the message of the painting is a sad one yet it conveys hope and Styka’s story is sad yet now has been so wonderfully honored. Love this.
Cathy Mendoza
That was a really sad destiny of Crucifixion. But I could imagine how marvelous the painting is! Just a very tragic story behind. And yea, I’ve known some parts since I was a kid growing up in a Catholic family, the Jesus Christ, Crucifixion and stuff like that.
Lisa
Wow!! What an interesting painting! And the size is definitely impressive, can definitely see why it took him nearly six years to finish it. Such a sad fate for The Crucifixion but I’m so glad to know it was found and now has a safe place to be displayed! ???
Arnav Mathur
Am not much into art, but The Crucifixion looks like such a beautiful piece of art. It was really amazing to read all the history behind it.
Elaine Masters
How lovely and how sad. I’ve heard about this painting but nothing as detailed. Would love to visit that Forest Lawn Cemetery and wander the grounds. It’s such a grand place and now, endearing for the great quest to give this masterpiece a home finally.
Anda Galffy
You should visit it next time you come to L.A., Elaine. It’s quite impressive.
Cat
How devastating to lose all one’s paintings! The Crucifixion is a beautiful piece and has had a long journey. I would love to see it in person.
Melody PIttman
What a fascinating story! The tragedies of this poor painter and his masterpiece are so sad. I’m glad it was located and now on display for the world to see. Thanks for sharing the story. I will definitely check it out on my next LA visit.
Anda Galffy
Definitely worth visiting, Melody. It’s really impressive.
Indrani
That is so sad how Styka lost his painting. But it is comforting to know how his work is being revered and admired now. Precious 6 years to complete the painting… really commendable.
Anda Galffy
Yea, I agree. 6 years to complete a painting is quite a long time.
Pancho Gonzales
What an awesome and extraordinary background to this masterpiece by Styka but what I don’t see anyone mention is the actual subject of this work, the One and only sacrificial Lamb who died and gave His life for your sins in order that IF you believe in Him can have an Advocate before the Creator in the day of judgement and be justified based on His righteousness. What a beautiful gift we have in Jesus Christ. “Our eyes should not be on what is seen, for this is temporal, but rather on what isn’t seen, that is eternal” God bless
Agness of Fit Travelling
The big painting is simply stunning, Anda! I’ve learned so much about Styka from your post!
Anda Galffy
Thanks, Agness. Stika is Polish, like you.
Esther
Gah, I love stories like this on art works!! Thank you for sharing.
Michele {Malaysian Meanders}
That painting is very thought provoking and has a fantastic history. I do feel bad for Styka, though.
Elaine J Masters
What a touching story and such a beautiful work! I love your series about discovering special places in Los Angeles.
Anda Galffy
Thank you Elaine. Maybe next time you are in LA you’ll visit the Hall of the Crucifixion and this huge painting.
Ruth | Tanama Tales
Anda, this is quite a story! First time I here about the painting. As you can see, I am not familiar with the Glendale area. I can’t imagine how heart broken Styka was. He lost years of work due to sad circumstances. At least, this particular painting was saved and is on display. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Anda Galffy
I thought about his disappointment too, Ruth. As a painter, this was like his “baby”, especially since it was so unique. Unfortunately he never knew the painting was found and displayed in such a great hall. I’m sure he would have liked that.
Mary (The World Is A Book)
This was such an interesting and sad story! I don’t remember seeing the cross during night drives there but it’s been awhile. Though, my husband’s grandparents and a couple of other relatves are buried at that Forest Lawn. Will need to keep my eyes open next time.
shere
Very sad story. But at least his painting is not damaged or destroyed as the other ones.
Anda Galffy
Yea, that’s true. However, during his lifetime the picture wasn’t found, so he considered it lost forever.
Rhonda Albom
That’s a remarkable story. I wonder if Jan Styka ever knew where his work of art ended up?
Anda Galffy
He didn’t. After he went home he managed to put the money together for the customs fee, but by that time the painting was no longer in the warehouse in New York and it was hard to track it down.