The artwork titled “Justice (Christ and the Elders in the Temple)” was created by John Bradley in 1837. This piece falls under the Naïve Art (Primitivism) movement and is categorized as a religious painting.
The artwork depicts a scene with Christ seated centrally and illuminated amidst a group of elders and various other figures. The setting appears to be within a temple, evidenced by the architectural elements such as columns and arches that surround the characters. The expressions and gestures of the figures suggest an intense dialogue or debate, emphasizing the title’s reference to justice. The use of light and shadow directs focus to Christ, further underlining his significance in the scene. The figures are rendered in a straightforward, unembellished style characteristic of Naïve Art, with an emphasis on storytelling and symbolic representation rather than strict adherence to realism.
