Who painted Elijah restoring the widow's son?

Elijah restoring the widow's son was painted by Ford Madox Brown in 1868.

Where can I see Elijah restoring the widow's son?

Elijah restoring the widow's son is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Elijah restoring the widow's son?

Elijah restoring the widow's son is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Elijah restoring the widow's son?

Museum-quality prints of Elijah restoring the widow's son are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Elijah restoring the widow's son

Ford Madox Brown , 1868

Elijah restoring the widow's son is a watercolor work on paper by the Impressionist artist Ford Madox Brown. It dates from 1868 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

Ford Madox Brown’s watercolor depicts the prophet Elijah descending a bedroom staircase while cradling a young boy swaddled in a funeral shroud. The scene captures the moment after Elijah’s miracle, when the child, previously dead, is returned to life.

Subject & Meaning

The narrative is drawn from the first Book of Kings, where Elijah first provides sustenance for a widow and her son, then later restores the child’s life after the widow blames the prophet for her loss. The composition emphasizes the tension between grief and divine intervention.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolor, the work reflects the Pre‑Raphaelite commitment to historical detail. Brown incorporates elements such as modest interior furnishings, Egyptian‑style steps, and a chicken with its chick to evoke a biblical atmosphere, though not a precise reconstruction.

History & Provenance

Originally commissioned in 1863 by the Dalziel brothers for their Bible Gallery, the image was expanded from a smaller illustration into a full‑size painting. Manchester collector Frederick Craven, who favored watercolors, later acquired the piece; Brown subsequently produced an oil replica.

Context

The painting belongs to a broader Victorian interest in biblical subjects rendered with archaeological authenticity. Brown’s approach aligns with contemporary efforts to blend narrative illustration with fine‑art techniques, bridging illustration and painting.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Ford Madox Brown

Ford Madox Brown (16 April 1821 – 6 October 1893) was a British painter of moral and historical subjects, notable for his distinctively graphic and often Hogarthian version of the Pre-Raphaelite style.