Christ in the Wilderness

Reflecting on the paintings by Stanley Spencer

The remarkable English painter Stanley Spencer produced a series of works entitled Christ in the Wilderness (1939-54), portraying the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness. These beautiful and compelling images give us a startling insight into Jesus' vocation and his own understanding of his ministry. They show his great love for nature and affinity with all creation. In this attractive illustrated book, Stephen Cottrell reflects on five of the Christ in the Wilderness paintings, and reveals them to be a rich source of spiritual wisdom and nourishment. He invites us to slow down and enter into the stillness of Stanley Spencer's vision. By dwelling in the wilderness of these evocative portraits, Stephen Cottrell encourages us to refine our own discipleship and learn again what it means to follow Christ.