Category:Jesus of Nazareth--art (subject)

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List of artworks on Jesus of Nazareth (in chronological order)

< Jesus of Nazareth in : Art -- Cinema -- Literature -- Music -- Theatre >

In the absence of any contemporary description of his appearance, each generation has re-imagined Jesus according to their own taste and ideals, not according to "historical" criteria.

Jesus, like a pagan god

After Christianity spread in the Roman Empire, the first Christian began adapting some mythological images to their representations of Jesus. The most popular subject is "The Good Shepherd" (Orpheus).

Jesus is often symbolized by the FISH (ichtus in greek):

• I - Iesus (Jesus)
• CH - Christos (Christ)
• T - Theou (God's)
• U - uios (Son)
• S - Soter (Savior)

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  A pagan representation of Orpheus

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  Christ as Orpheus (Ravenna, Italy: Mausoleum of Gallia Placida, 5th cent.)

Jesus the Emperor

After Christianity became the State religion of the Roman Empire, Christians began portraying Jesus as a Roman ruler, standing victorious or sitting on the throne of judgment. Jesus carries the cross as a sword and no reference is made to his suffering and death.

Jesus the Monk

The two halves of Jesus's face are asymmetrical, to emphasize the double nature of the Son (human and divine).

The suffering Jesus

The classical Jesus

Last Supper (1498 Leonardo), art

A more realistic approach

The oriental Jesus

Anno Domini (1883 Long), art

Flevit super illam (Lament over Jerusalem / 1892 Simonet), art

Jesus, our contemporary

The Family (1886 Batten), art -- But Mary Kept All These Things and Pondered Them in Her Heart (1888 Havers), art

Let the Little Children Come to Me (1883 Uhde), art

Mary Magdalene in the House of Simon the Pharisee (1891 Béraud), art

Some contemporary trends