'Temptation of Christ' in Global Art
The Gospel reading in the lectionary this Sunday is about the Temptation of Christ in the Wilderness.
A connection is often made between this story and Hebrews 4:15, which says, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin.” And we can take comfort in knowing that even Jesus endured temptation. It’s not just us; we are not alone.
Here are some of my favorite contemporary artistic representations from artists of various cultures. All were created within the last 10 years, some are quite recent.
2. Nicholas Roerich, Russia
3. Jesus Mafa artist, Cameroon
4. Otto Dix, Germany
See a short essay about this lithograph at
http://campus.udayton.edu/mary//gallery/works/temptationofjesus.htm
6. Ilya Repin, Russia (1895)
7. James Reid, USA (1930 woodcut)
10. Ilya Repin, Russia (1903)
11. Sadao Watanabe, Japan (1968)
13. ‘Christ in the Wilderness - The scorpion’ by Stanley Spencer, UK
14. Victor Bregeda, Russia
see a short essay about this painting at
http://bregeda.com/gallery/temptation-of-christ/#!prettyPhoto
15. Contemporary Icon by Aidan Hart, UK/New Zealand
16. James B. Janknegt, USA (1990)
read a short essay about this painting at
http://iconsandimagery.blogspot.com/2010/08/temptation-of-christ_26.html
17. J. Kirk Richards, USA
18. Briton Riviere, England
19. Michael Hudak, Colombia/USA
http://thirdwayliving.org/2012/02/godbearers-series-three-destructive-diversions/temptation-of-jesus/
20. Michael O’Brien, Canada
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
21. Jesus Mafa, Cameroon/France
22. “Jesus Tempted in the Wilderness” (Jésus tenté dans le désert) by French artist James Joseph Jacques Tissot around 1890
23. Ed Knippers (USA artist), Christ in the Wilderness
oil on panel - 8’ X 12’ - 2011
Malcolm Guite, a UK priest and poet, has written 3 sonnets about the 3 temptations of Christ in the wilderness. You’ll find them at these links:
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2015/02/18/from-the-word-in-the-wilderness-the-first-temptation/
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2015/02/19/word-in-the-wilderness-the-second-temptation/
https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/2015/02/21/word-in-the-wilderness-3rd-temptation/
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