The Baptism of St Edwin, 1879

The Baptism of St Edwin 1879 by Ford Madox Brown (1821–1893). Oil on canvas.

Brown was commissioned to produce a series of 12 wall paintings illustrating events in the history of Manchester for the interior of Manchester Town Hall which he worked on from 1878 almost until his death. Bottomley records in his Account of Paintings (CALMG 1997.704.3) that the work is 'A small preliminary study for the third of the series of historical frescoes...in the Manchester Town Hall...The frame of this one is, presumably, designed by the artist.'

To left of composition, Edwin kneels in prayer in a low circular font of carved stone. A monk anoints him with water whilst a bishop, crook held in his left hand, makes the sign of the benediction. To right of composition stands a woman with a little girl clinging to her cloak, and a second woman, kneeling beside her. The congregation is seated behind a long pew over which are spread embroidered hangings.

The composition is an imagined image of St Edwin, King of Northumberland and Deira being baptised at York in 627 AD. The following day eleven thousand of his principal subjects were baptised together in the River Swale, and his dominions became Christian. Northumberland and Deira covered Northern England and Manchester at the time.