Ludwig Hirschfeld Mack (b.1893) and pupils
Life of Christ, 1943
The thirteen-panel frieze depicting scenes from the life of Jesus Christ was painted in oils on these walls in 1943. Ludwig Hirschfeld Mack (1893–1965), Art Master at Geelong Grammar School (1942–57), conceived and designed the work, and was assisted in its preparation by several pupils, including John Court, Mark Kellaway and possibly Ian Bassett. The influence of Early Renaissance artists, especially the Florentine fresco painter Fra Angelico, is evident both in the subject matter and the artistic style of the frieze.
The final image, depicting Christ in Majesty (Christ Pantocrator) and the concept of hope triumphant, is the sole work of Hirschfeld Mack and expresses his pacifist beliefs through the motif of figures linking hands and the words ‘May they all be one’ (John 17:21).
