Too gay, too buff, too manly, too sexy?
You can't satisfy the critics - ever. How many times have I heard people complain about effeminate looking Christ images? Yet now they complain the Vatican stamp is too manly?
Michelangelo did manly robust images of Christ - naked even - but today, with all the gossip and innuendo about gays in the Vatican, every image of a well proportioned male figure seems to be suspect of promoting homo-heresy. I've already seen comments about how gay it is. Yet the German bishops suggested it will cause women's hearts to beat faster.
“The Easter stamp at least is decorated with a gym-Jesus with muscle-packed arms and toned upper body which causes women's hearts to beat faster and makes [German Archbishop] Georg Gänswein look old,” states the German bishops’ website. - SourceTraditionally most classical images of the Risen Christ are depicted nearly naked, displaying a well proportioned physique, handsome - in order to illustrate the human body in glory - a man in his prime, perfected. The image on the stamp is not at all gym-like. The musculature is not exaggerated or overworked. The people who write this crap have dirty minds. They see what they want to see and interpret it according to their own bias; 'everything is received through and according to the subject.'
Doesn't bother me, but I am reminded of the Abercrombie and Fiinch shopping bags teen girls loved to carry back a few years ago. Not a good association but there it is.
ReplyDeleteFr. Blake of St. Mary Magdalen blogspot seems to think it's part of an agenda. Not sure what's happened with him, but he surprises me at times.
Delete“The Easter stamp at least is decorated with a gym-Jesus with muscle-packed arms and toned upper body which causes women's hearts to beat faster and makes [German Archbishop] Georg Gänswein look old,” states the German bishops’ website"
DeleteWere all of this not so stupid (well, it is) I would have a good chuckle over such silly commentary. (I did anyway)
I looked at the image and the first thing that comes to mind is:
The glory of God, Jesus, fully alive, beautiful and eternal. Life so full, so pure, so glorious ... death has no sting.
That stamp simply served as a reminder of that most glorious day!
You are right Yaya. It is such a non-issue.
DeleteNot necessarily offended but is it alright if I think it's pretty tacky looking (not sure if that's the right word... you know that type of art you usually see in JW pamplets)?
ReplyDeleteIt is simply a classical style of art.
DeleteI am not educated in art, but I think this representation of our good Jesus is absolutely beautiful. I imagine Him as a vibrant young man. Of course He is well built - He worked hard at physical labor with St. Joseph, got plenty of exercise, and was fed good food by His loving mother. And surely, with such a lovely mother, He would have solid, attractive features. His glorious nature would, of course, shine out of His countenance. Obviously, He would have been far more splendid to behold than this. But I think it connects pretty well to how I picture Him. (Now, I do have an issue with how St. Joseph is depicted as a creaky old man - I see him as a serious, thoughtful, younger man - but that is another subject! Terry, I would be interested to see how you, as an artist and thoughtful Catholic would paint him.) Well done, Vatican Postal Service!
ReplyDeleteI actually love the Pompeo Batoni Sacred Heart image of Jesus and did a version of it, which ended up being sold. Otherwise, the Holy Face is how I like to visualize Our Lord.
Deletehttp://www.turnbacktogod.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/jesus-resurrection-easter.jpg
ReplyDeleteI came across this comment from some guy I somehow follow on disgus - he's a former gay man:
ReplyDelete"Sorry ladies! In spite of the assurances of the German bishops, this stamped image is not about you. It's a gay thing.
Beyond that, said enough on my Twitter ..."
Yeah - I disagree that the image is at all sexualized for any sexual proclivity or taste. It's classical Risen Christ art.
Anyone who sees homosexuality in this picture (a picture of Jesus Christ Himself....) is simply outing himself as a deeply closeted pervert. Not that this surprises me: I've long suspected that many of the "angry trads" were dealing with such feelings, along the lines of Ronald Merrick... =(
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