Essay, Research Paper: Jesus` Image

Art

Free Art research papers were donated by our members/visitors and are presented free of charge for informational use only. The essay or term paper you are seeing on this page was not produced by our company and should not be considered a sample of our research/writing service. We are neither affiliated with the author of this essay nor responsible for its content. If you need high quality, fresh and competent research / writing done on the subject of Art, use the professional writing service offered by our company.

    
When thinking of the physical image of Jesus Christ, one usually pictures a
middle aged white, bearded male. This has been a common image for centuries;
however, it is now the year 2000 and everything is changing. During this period
of change and to celebrate the millennium and observe Christ’s birth, the
National Catholic Reporter decided to sponsor an international contest which
invited artists to conceive new images of Christ. Janet McKenzie’s painting
“Jesus of the People” represents the complete antithesis of the common
overused image of Jesus. McKenzie’s painting portrays Jesus as not white but
black, not male but androgynous. Her image has shocked many and received many
varying responses. Personally, I think that this portrayal is amazing. It’s
avant-garde and ahead of the times. The world is changing in all aspects and I
believe that this new image of Jesus is extremely appropriate in that the world
is no longer predominately run by wealthy white males. Although some may not
accept McKenzie’s work now, I think that in time it will become more and more
appropriate and desirable. McKenzie’s Jesus seems to be calm and relaxed. I
strongly agree with Sister Wendy Beckett’s comment of Jesus gazing back at
viewers with “ineffable dignity.” Although he/she appears to be at ease,
he/she also suggests a state of Dombrowski 2 deep thought and contemplation. His
physical characteristics and stance are also quite interesting. As he/she stands
with his/her arms crossed and closed, he/she still appears loving. I believe
that this feeling comes from his/her facial expression. Yet although his/her
arms are crossed shut, it almost seems that he/she is embracing someone or
something. It’s inviting as if he/she wants to be holding the viewer. In
conclusion, Janet McKenzie’s “Jesus of the People” is a work of art both
representative of the times yet parallel to old ideas. I admire her courage to
portray Jesus in her personal unique view and respect her vision. I believe that
it is time that our common image of Jesus transforms into one which is more
universal and acceptable by all races and both genders.



0
0
Good or bad? How would you rate this essay?
Help other users to find the good and worthy free term papers and trash the bad ones.
Like this term paper? Vote & Promote so that others can find it

Get a Custom Paper on Art:

Free papers will not meet the guidelines of your specific project. If you need a custom essay on Art: , we can write you a high quality authentic essay. While free essays can be traced by Turnitin (plagiarism detection program), our custom written papers will pass any plagiarism test, guaranteed. Our writing service will save you time and grade.




Related essays:

0
0
     “Joan of Arc,” was painted by the French realist artist Jules Bastien-Le Page in 1879. “After the province of Lorraine was lost to Germany following the Franco-Prussian War in...
3722 views
0 comments
0
1
Kara Walker produces mural-sized, paper cutout silhouettes to create a dense caustic narrative of nineteenth-century, antebellum slavery. She details the black-paper cutouts with stereotypical charact...
5504 views
0 comments
1
0
     I am working on the structure of the human anatomy. Our teacher wants us to feel the structure through gestures and get the proportions correct. We have just finished working ...
4010 views
0 comments
0
0
     Lately, the president of the United States Bill Clinton, has pursued some policies that have been very unpopular not only with the general public but the electorate as well. B...
3100 views
0 comments
1
0
The subject matter of Maddona and Child was a very popular one for artists of the sixteenth century. Rapahel, and Giovanni Bellini both painted numerous versions of the Maddona and Child. While both ...
4558 views
0 comments