Jesus in the arts

by Rita Foelker

Age: All ages (I guess...)

What we will need:

• Access to internet or the text below printed, including the larger versions of the images

People always had very different concepts about Jesus.

The many ways that he was portrayed in the arts give an idea of how our Master has been seen through the centuries until today.

Icon of the 13rd century
Unknown artist

The majority of the representations of Jesus of this time was made for churches and palaces of Catholic kings.

In the picture above, Jesus seems serious, formal, and doing a gesture of someone blessing. (In the Catholicism, blessing with the signal of the cross was very common in that time). The circle around his head means sanctity.

Jesus hands a book with a fancy cover that did not exist in his time. Note that to the painter it was more important that Jesus was portrayed with this person faith than showing the Master in his true concept.

Christ the Redeemer
Giampietrino (ca. 1500-1540)

Many representations of Jesus try to emphasize his power, so in this painting he seats in a throne like a king. This image was pursued in all countries from Europe in that time.

Until today, many people believe that Jesus will govern the world, but his real power is not from Earth: it is the power of love and elevation of his spirit.

Pietà
1498-1500; marble sculpture
Michelangelo (1475-1564)

The Renaissance artist Michelangelo stresses the human aspect of Jesus. Here Jesus is portrayed lifeless in the arms of his mother Maria.

The rich details and the perfection of the forms was a characteristic of the artist that gives to the stone the slightness of the fabrics and the subtle of the facial expressions.

Christ Carrying the Cross
1600-05; oil on canvas
El Greco (ca. 1541-1614)

Although portrayed the moment when Jesus is going to the place of his crucifixion, his face shows serenity and faith. He looks above as he is speaking to God and his face is shining. The hands are delicate and to carry the cross it does not seem difficult at all.

The scenery was changed to a dark color. It seems that Jesus, in this moment, does not belong to our world.

Drawing
Rembrandt (1606-1669)

Now, you tell: what aspect of Jesus' personality the artist wants to represent in this drawing?

Flagellation of Christ
Sculpture of Antônio Francisco Lisboa (o Aleijadinho) (1730?-1814)

Many works stress and try to transmit the intensity of Jesus' suffering.

The sculpture of Aleijadinho is different of the painting of El Greco. Here it is showing Jesus tired and suffered. The wounds in his face are very realistic.

Let the Little Children Come to Me
Vogel von Vogelstein (1788-1868)

Here, the artist portrays the moment narrated in the Gospel when Jesus ask the children to approach. In a canvas where the colors and other elements transmit deep softness, Vogelstein paints a lovely and fond Jesus giving and receiving affection.

The Yellow Christ
1889, oil on canvas
Paul Gauguin (1848-1903)

Jesus, in this canvas, seems human and fragile, he is very near from the peasants that kneel down before him. It seems that the peasants stay in the company of Jesus, while others go with their lives indifferently.

This work is considered one of the most expressive moments of the Gauguin's paintings.

Gauguin may considered this work important because he portrayed it not finished behind of his self-portrait. Note that the canvas appears to the left of the artist and it is like to be seen in a mirror.

Christ of Saint John of the Cross
1951; oil on canvas
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)

The artist chooses an unusual angle to observe the crucified Jesus. It seems that in this moment the Master would observe the things from a point of view much higher than the common people worried about their tasks (the others in the canvas).

Crucifixion ('Corpus Hypercubus')
1954; oil on canvas
Salvador Dalí (1904-1989)

Alike to the picture of the 13rd century, here we see Jesus out of his time and from the scenery of his existence. The cross it doesn't restrain him, he is not wounded.

What you think Dalí wanted to show in this picture?

Now it's your turn!

Draw a picture showing Jesus how YOU see him.

HOME | ACTIVITIES | WHO WE ARE | WHAT'S NEW | SITE MAP | CONTACT US