The long history of how Jesus came to resemble a white European Flashcards
Why is there uncertainty about Jesus’ physical appearance?
There are no known images of Jesus from his lifetime, and the Bible provides minimal and contradictory descriptions of his appearance.
What was the primary focus of early Christian art in depicting Jesus?
Early Christian art focused more on Jesus’ roles (as a ruler or savior) than on accurately depicting his physical appearance.
How did early Christian artists use syncretism in depicting Jesus?
Early Christian artists combined visual formats from other cultures, like portraying Jesus as the Good Shepherd, based on representations of Orpheus, Hermes, and Apollo.
What is the “Syrian” style in depictions of Jesus?
The “Syrian” style refers to the portrayal of Jesus with long hair and a beard, combining features of the Greek god Zeus and the Old Testament figure Samson.
What were acheiropoietos images and their significance in early Christianity?
Acheiropoietos images were believed to be miraculous self-portraits of Jesus, such as the Mandylion and the Veil of Saint Veronica, shaping the standard image of a bearded Christ.
How did Renaissance artists influence the depiction of Jesus?
Renaissance artists like Antonello da Messina and Albrecht Dürer created portraits of Jesus that resembled themselves, blurring the line between holy images and personal likenesses.
What is the significance of Warner Sallman’s “Head of Christ”?
Sallman’s 1940 painting, which portrays a light-skinned, blue-eyed Jesus, became the most reproduced image of Christ worldwide, influencing the modern portrayal of Jesus as a white European.
How did European colonialism affect the global image of Jesus?
As Europeans colonized new lands, they spread the European image of Jesus, reinforcing racial hierarchies and often associating Christianity with European cultural superiority.
What role did art play in shaping perceptions of race and power regarding Jesus?
Depictions of a white Jesus, particularly during European colonialism, helped justify the oppression of non-European peoples and reinforce social and racial hierarchies.
What are the social and political implications of depicting Jesus as a white European?
Depicting Jesus as a white European has been criticized for supporting white supremacy and colonialism, distorting his true cultural identity and reinforcing societal inequalities.
What is the historical context of Jesus being depicted with European features?
The depiction of a white, European Jesus began in the Renaissance and was spread globally through European trade, colonization, and missionary work.
How did artists in colonial Latin America depict Jesus?
In colonial Latin America, artists often depicted Jesus as white, reinforcing the social caste system where Europeans were at the top, and indigenous people were at the bottom.
What was the impact of the spread of European depictions of Jesus during the colonial period?
European depictions of a white Jesus helped solidify the connection between Christianity, European identity, and imperial power, influencing perceptions of race and religion globally.
What were the implications of depicting Jesus with European features for anti-Semitic narratives?
In some parts of Europe, depictions of Jesus as a white man were used to distance him from his Jewish roots, contributing to anti-Semitic narratives and myths.
