During the course of the contest to see which picture of Christ seemed the most accurate representation to my readers, I looked at hundreds of paintings and photographs -partially out of my own curiosity, and partially to try and find something new for you guys. (Contest posts begin here, and end here.)
I looked at a lot of really good art, and a lot of not-so-good art, but came to a conclusion that may surprise you. I think that any artist that takes on the task of portraying the Savior is courageous. Yep, brave.
One of the other finalists was not a painting, but a photo of Jim Caviezel from the film “Passion of the Christ.”
I find it equally courageous that an actor would be willing/able to stake his career on the portrayal of the most important man who ever lived – a person that everyone is very protective of, and considers sacred. (I won’t bring up the fact that he was actually struck by lightning when he was making the movie.)
(Disclaimer: I never saw “The Passion of the Christ.” for two reasons: 1) It was rated R. Yeah, that obedience thing. 2) I did not desire to see the Savior’s intense suffering portrayed on film, as I did not want to experience it emotionally or mentally. I feel that pat of the beauty of the atonement is that He experienced those things so that I don’t have to! Why would I voluntarily choose to experience – in any way – what He is helping me to avoid?)
Painting pictures of Christ is difficult because most everyone who will look at that painting will draw from their own life, belief, perspective and heart to pass judgement as to the accuracy of the portrayal. You don’t get that kind of pressure when painting a seascape, or abstract art. You can still be criticized, but people aren’t so emotional invested. I do not know for sure, but I imagine that for most artists, creating a portrayal of the Savior must be a tremendously personal, spiritual experience. If there was ever a situation where you risked “casting pearls before swine,” this would be it.
I was pleased to see that, for the most part, my readers were kind in their evaluations of the paintings in the contest. It doesn’t seem to “Christlike” to take shots at the art of people who are trying to portray the impossible.
Granted, not all art is “of good report, or praiseworthy,’ and I have no problem pointing out things that I think are a bad reflection on our society, or spiritually damaging. I will never adopt the line that “all art is good, if it honest.” (But I will save that for another discussion.)
For now, I would just like to thank all those artists, including actors, painters, composers, sculptors, writers who try and do good with their art. Those who try and elevate our thoughts and lives. One of the bests comments I received that said, “I have found myself thinking of the Savior much more this week than I usually do.” That, my friends is why we hang pictures of the Savior in our homes.
To remind us.
And now for some Pixar wisdom: A brief clip from the movie “Ratatouille” to tie this up:
I went to read this post and the others and my 2 year old daughter is very very happy to see pictures of Jesus. “Jesus again!” she says, and “GO BACK! GO BACK UP!”
I too agree with your reason #2. It seems too much like crucifying Him again. Your observation about His atonement rings so true with me. Thanks for your insights.
A friend of mine and I were just discussing this yesterday. We were reading the post where you had described what an average Judean looked like at the time of Jesus, and she said that she thinks most portrayals of Jesus are way too “pretty”. (Incidently, neither of us favored the winner of the voting for that very reason.) Denise commented wondering if she would have followed the Savior, based on his looks, and one of the things that my friend and I discussed is that with the Spirit that surrounded Jesus, our desire to be near Him and to follow Him, would have been based on how we felt, not what we saw. The power of the Spirit would have directed our motivations, and if we follow that Spirit today, we would have followed it then. I can’t imagine fisherman leaving their livelihood in a heartbeat for any other reason.
I have that picture. It is a stunning one as well. One of my favourites, but still too pretty. Here is one I painted, not too great, but lovingly done.
http://chantaclair.com/Family/christm2.jpg
Always a grand experience to contemplate the Savior for an hour, no matter the venue.
Thank you for sharing! You talented people amaze me,
There is an interesting book called “Love Without End – Jesus Speaks” by Glenda Green you may enjoy. She claims to have had a very personal request by the Savior to paint a portrait of Him and in the process had many conversations that became the basis for the book. I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the book. Here’s a link to her site:
http://lovewithoutend.com/Miracle_Story_Lamb_Lion.htm
Point 2 of your disclaimer also rang true to me. I excuse myself when these clips are shown in classes because I cannot bear it. That doesn’t mean I don’t adore him or have a deep gratitude for what he did for me. He is my Savior. Thank you for your capturing so well what I was feeling.
I totally agree with you on point 2 (and point 1 for that matter) of the disclaimer. On my children’s birthdays I don’t bring up the pain and suffering that I went through to give them life, (and I had horrible pregnancies where I did suffer.) But I suffered because I wanted them and loved them and I would do it all over again for them. My personal belief is that Christ feels the same way and that he doesn’t want us to dwell on his suffering. Some talks at Easter are just too hard to listen to.
Denise I think we would have been followers regardless of his looks- what would have been powerful beyond words is how He would have looked at us. Our past Stake President had a way of looking up at the speaker at Stake Conference with total adoration. I know that is how the Savior would look at us!
I have also pondered and thought since you presented this contest. I have wondered about the Savior’s appearance and if he were judged by that even in His time. Do we have this romantic idea that He is this strapling young man, handsome, rustic? Or was He just a simple, ordinary, not-so-handsome man? Am I so superficial to think that I would not have been a follower based on His looks? In today’s world, that could be so.
I really appreciate this post and it helping me to keep things in perspective. It is His spirit I feel. That is what I know and can count on.
This line from the movie is powerful and profound! Thanks for finding the good stuff and sharing it!
As someone who has dabbled in art, I have many times considered painting the Saviour, but have not attempted to for the reasons you have discussed.
I found out why so many LDS depictions of Christ have blue eyes, that’s how Joseph Smith described the resurrected Christ in one of the accounts of the First Vision.
I have heard that about the blue eyes, but have never seen the actual reference. Do you know where it is? Also if it was the first vision, then if wouldn’t be the same version of the Savior that walked the earth – it would be a resurrected, glorified being.
Thats why I specified resurrected. They were discussing it on “the Joseph Smith Papers” I’ll see if I can find the actual reference