Friday Art Reflection – Jesus In Art
Next week I will be teaching on our DTS on the topic of Missional Community, one of my deepest passions. Part of my teaching, which focuses on the idea that our understanding of Jesus shapes the nature of the community we become, I show a slide show of over a hundred images of Jesus. They are drawn from a broad spectrum, from iconography to parody. Over the next few Fridays, I want to use this art reflection time to look at some of the images and get your feedback.
While I do not know the name or artist of the above piece, it always hits me hard. I will hold back from sharing here and do so later in the comment section. However, I want to hear from you.
What does this painting say to you? How does it make you feel? Where do we go with what glean from it?
Now that is interesting.
I guess my first thought is why the heck do we still think Jesus was white?
I guess I kinda felt gross. LIke in a disturbed sort of way. I have this image of Jesus from the Bible my grandma bought me and this is not it. My view of Jesus physical appearence is tainted.
Man, he certainly recovered well from the 40 day fast in the wilderness. Ok, jokes aside…We live in a culture that is so image focused. Our images seem to comfort us, suddenly if the image is changed…we don’t identify with it. Are we concerned more with what Jesus looked like…or who he was. I love the fact that Jesus could always see people for who they were, not what they looked like.
The picture made me think, if i gained 50-60 pounds, would people see me as the same person…sadly, probably not.
I see the point they’re trying to make, but honestly the thought that comes to me is that his physique isn’t consistent with (my understanding of) the society they lived in. It would have been really hard to put on pounds when they walked everywhere they went. Interesting perspective, though, and the point certainly isn’t lost in the improbability of it.
The picture to me reflects not Jesus himself but how I feel of the church. In my case I am catholic. Full coffers and ripe with riches and overindulgence. Not how I want my Jesus to be presented. But telling of the nature of organized religion in many cases.
Ariah,
Yeah, that is good point. On the other hand, unless we portray as only first century, Amaraic, Jewish man, I am less offended by different racial portrayal of Jesus. Now, the fact that the white racialization of Christianity is so prevelant makes it, perhaps, a little more frustrating. Good observation.
Peace,
Jamie
Phil,
Yeah, it is disturbing, which seems to be the intention of the piece. Care to suggest an interpretation?
Peace,
Jamie
Ron,
Excellent point. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Cindy,
I am curious what your take is on the intention of the piece. Do tell!
Peace,
Jamie
Liz,
I think this is true of the whole Body of Christ, be it Catholic, Protestant or other. I came the exact same conclusion. God took a great risk make us part of Christ’s Body and this is how we abuse it. Sad. Thanks for the great insight.
Peace,
Jamie
I don’t have an interpretation. It just seems awry. I don’t like the image. The only thought I had is that the figure would appear to be able to remove himself. He appears to be very strong and large compared to the cross and nails holding him. So, given the portrayal, the only thing really holding Jesus there is Jesus himself. If that is the intention of the artist, that would be a portrayal with which I could agree even though the picture itself is somewhat grotesque to me.
It takes a second look but… he’s not er, um… ‘unnecesarily overweight’. The muscle mass and definition are rather astounding.
I’m wondering if what the artist is saying is that we fail to reconize the incredible strength it took for Christ to go to the cross (never mind to stay there throughout). Perhaps we are so used to the idea of the cross that we lose sight of the incredible power inherent in that moment and need to be shocked back to our recognition of who He is.
That’s my take, anyway…
We’ve done a fair job of overcoming the racial confusion of earlier generations (white folks who never considered that Jesus might not have been pearly white himself). However, most artistic interpretations of the crucifix show a gaunt, almost emaciated savior. Wealthy nations idolize “gaunt and emaciated” these days. What if that image were also challenged? What if Jesus wasn’t gaunt? Do we want a savior who is heavy and muscular and doesn’t look half starved?
To answer your qestion more generally I see it as a challenge to all of our preconceived notions. What if he is none of the things we expect? Would we still love him?
Bryan,
I didn’t have that response, so thanks for sharing a different perspective.
Peace,
Jamie
RWK,
I hadn’t looked at it that way. I assumed it was a blatant portrayal of the Western church’s inflated, over-powerful indulgences. Thanks for this perspective.
Peace,
Jamie
Cindy,
Excellent questions. I think I am tired of all extreme representations of Jesus. Thanks for your input.
Peace,
Jamie
I am not positive, but I think it is a piece by the Columbian artist, Fernando Botero. Just because people in his paintings were always painted with similarly “inflated” proportions. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Botero
JJ,
I think you are right, looking at his other pieces. Great work. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie – I actually like this work. At first glance, I too thought about over-indulgent Christianity, then I went to seeing the over-indulgent church/christian being crucified. Then I looked at it more closely and I saw how muscular he was. I saw Jesus on the cross with all the weight of sin on him and he strong enough to bear it all.
I really love how art makes you think.
DAWN
Dawn,
Great perspective. Thanks.
Peace,
Jamie