First published 2000
No one who lived alongside Jesus recorded what he looked like. Yet his face became the most recognizable image in Western history. Neil MacGregor, director of London's National Gallery, examines how artists across centuries visualized Christ without any physical description to guide them. Working alongside art historian Erika Langmuir, MacGregor argues that the greatest painters and sculptors did more than depict religious scenes. They used Christ's life to explore universal human experiences. Images of Jesus as child, teacher, sufferer, and victim speak to believers and nonbelievers alike. The book traces how artistic representations of Christ evolved alongside Christian culture itself. MacGregor shows how Michelangelo's multiple pieta sculptures reflect the artist's changing relationship with faith and doubt over time. The volume presents detailed observations about centuries of artistic interpretation. Beautifully reproduced illustrations showcase works from major galleries, private collections, ancient catacombs, neighborhood churches, and market stalls worldwide.
Genres: biography, history, art, non-fiction, christianity, art-history
Vibes: educational, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-analysis, visual-interpretation
Setting: London, National Gallery
Period: Centuries
240 pages · Hardcover · BBC Books