This is an inspiration from an earlier post, you will see the various representations of God—in the forms of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—as depicted by artists, sculptors, and other artistic mediums, ensuring that such portrayals are presented with respect. I will try to keep it in chronological order. Also, I will intersperse prayers, quotes, and Bible verses that speak of the many faces of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. This is a work in progress. It will continually be updated as new pieces are located. Please take a moment to contemplate each image. Are there any pieces that resonate with you? If any do, what do you hear or feel? Let it become a part of your being. Thank you.
Jesus, Who in Thy bitter Passion,
didst become the reproach of men
and the Man of Sorrows,
I venerate Thy Holy Face
on which shone the beauty and gentleness
of Divinity,
In those disfigured features,
I recognize Thine infinite Love,
and I long to love Thee,
and Thee loved.
May I behold Thy Glorious Face in Heaven.
Amen.
~Saint Thérèse of Lisieux – The Little Flower
The depiction was one of the first of Christ around 3rd century CE. It shows Jesus with a donkey head. The writers were making fun of Alexamenos for being a Christian. This was found etched in a plaster wall near Palatine Hill in Italy. It is now in the Palatine museum. Put yourself in Alexamenos’s shoes. How would you feel if someone treated Jesus Christ in front of you that way? Would you want to hide, or would you stand firm and accept the buffets for your Lord?
The LORD let his face shine upon you, and be gracious to you!
The LORD look upon you kindly and give you peace!
Numbers 6 : 25 & 26
The early Christians often faced persecution due to their beliefs. To evade punishment, they devised codes, like the fish symbol mentioned above. This particular piece is believed to date from approximately 250 to 350 CE. This information serves as a reference point to give a detailed explanation for the scarcity of artwork from that era. It is essential to recognize that there have been historical periods during which Christianity was not widely accepted, which necessitated different modes of communication.
Rely on the mighty LORD;
constantly seek his face.
1 Chronicles 16:11
Eternal Father,
since Thou hast given me for my inheritance
the adorable Face of Thy Divine Son,
I offer that face to Thee and I beg Thee, in
exchange for this coin of infinite value, to
forget the ingratitude of souls dedicated to
Thee
and to pardon all poor sinners.
~Saint Therese of Lisieux
“When we see the face of God we shall know that we have always known it. He has been a party to, has made, sustained and moved moment by moment within, all the time.”
~C S Lewis
The Cleveland Museum has this crucifix. Crucified Christ, c. 1525–1530. Hans Leinberger (German). Lindenwood. Take the time to notice each detail – the love of the sculpture for his craft. Click on the museum link so that you zoom into each feature. Notice his facial features and expressions. Contemplate what he was feeling and what would have made him feel that way. According to the Cleveland Museum this was most probably suspended over the altar.
Let your face shine on your servant, save me in your faithful love
Psalm 31:16
“Of you my heart has said, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, Yahweh, I seek”
Ps 27:8
The Holy Family depicts the Holy Family as if from India. Jesus looks adoring to his mother while Mary and Joseph are looking onto him.
Francisco de Zurbaran foreshadows his death. Notice the crown on Jesus’ lap. He and Mary observe the blood flowing from the prick on his hand.
References
Amusing Planet, The Earliest Depiction of Jesus Was Graffiti, 2020. Accessed on 08 December 2024.
Cleveland Museum of Art, Fish Gem, c. 250–350 CE. Syria(?) or Anatolia, early Christian. Rock crystal; overall: 3.5 x 7.5 cm (1 3/8 x 2 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1954.592. Accessed on 08 December 2024.
Virgin and Child in Majesty, c. 1150–1200. France, Auvergne, 2nd half of the 12th century. Polychrome wood (walnut); overall: 40 x 22 x 24 cm (15 3/4 x 8 11/16 x 9 7/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Severance and Greta Millikin Purchase Fund 2012.52
Virgin and Child with Saints, c. 1320. Ugolino di Nerio (Italian). Tempera and gold on wood panel; framed: 122.2 x 200.3 x 8.9 cm (48 1/8 x 78 7/8 x 3 1/2 in.); overall: 122.5 x 192.5 cm (48 1/4 x 75 13/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1961.40
The Holy Family with Mary Magdalen, c. 1590–1595. El Greco (Spanish, 1541–1614). Oil on canvas; framed: 160 x 131 x 7.5 cm (63 x 51 9/16 x 2 15/16 in.); unframed: 130 x 100 cm (51 3/16 x 39 3/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Friends of The Cleveland Museum of Art in memory of J. H. Wade 1926.247
The Holy Family on the Steps, 1648. Nicolas Poussin (French, 1594–1665). Oil on canvas; framed: 103.5 x 135.3 x 13.3 cm (40 3/4 x 53 1/4 x 5 1/4 in.); unframed: 73.3 x 105.8 cm (28 7/8 x 41 5/8 in.); former: 72.3 x 104 cm (28 7/16 x 40 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1981.18
Initial E from a Municipal Law Book: The Last Judgment, c. 1330. Germany, Regensburg. Ink, tempera, and gold on parchment; sheet: 21.3 x 18.2 cm (8 3/8 x 7 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1953.637
Passion of Jesus Christ: The Descent into Limbo, 1400s. Master AG (German). Engraving; sheet: 14.7 x 10.5 cm (5 13/16 x 4 1/8 in.); mat size: 36.3 x 24.5 cm (14 5/16 x 9 5/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Leonard C. Hanna Jr. 1922.477
The Life of the Virgin: Christ Taking Leave of His Mother, c. 1504–1505. Albrecht Dürer (German, 1471–1528). Woodcut; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Dudley P. Allen Fund 1959.99.17
Hans Leinberger, Crucified Christ, c. 1525–1530, Cleveland Museum of Art. Accessed on 08 December 2024.
Lampas with roundels of the image of Christ in benedictory pose, 1550–1650. Turkey, Bursa, Ottoman period. Silk and gilt-metal thread: lampas; overall: 36.5 x 33.7 cm (14 3/8 x 13 1/4 in.); mounted: 41.3 x 38.7 cm (16 1/4 x 15 1/4 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Wade 1916.1423
Preparation for the Crucifixion, early 1600s. Northern Italy, early 17th century. Oil on copper; framed: 73.5 x 63.5 x 6.4 cm (28 15/16 x 25 x 2 1/2 in.); unframed: 55 x 46.2 cm (21 5/8 x 18 3/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Holden Collection 1916.816
The Holy Family, c. 1620s. Northern India, Mughal court, early 17th century. Gum tempera and gold on paper; The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.312
The Return of the Holy Family to Nazareth, c. 1627. Nicolas Poussin (French, 1594–1665). Oil on canvas; framed: 159.5 x 124 x 14.5 cm (62 13/16 x 48 13/16 x 5 11/16 in.); unframed: 134 x 99 cm (52 3/4 x 39 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of the Hanna Fund 1953.156
Christ and the Virgin in the House at Nazareth, c. 1640. Francisco de Zurbarán (Spanish, 1598–1664). Oil on canvas; framed: 201 x 256 x 10 cm (79 1/8 x 100 13/16 x 3 15/16 in.); unframed: 165 x 218.2 cm (64 15/16 x 85 7/8 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund 1960.117
Jesus among the doctors in the Temple, c. 1760. Mir Kalan Khan (Indian, c. 1730–1775). Gum tempera and gold on paper; page: 35.5 x 25.3 cm (14 x 9 15/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift in honor of Madeline Neves Clapp; Gift of Mrs. Henry White Cannon by exchange; Bequest of Louise T. Cooper; Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund; From the Catherine and Ralph Benkaim Collection 2013.346
The Temptation of Saint Anthony (First Series): And In the Very Disk of the Sun Shines the Face of Jesus Christ, 1888. Odilon Redon (French, 1840–1916), Becquet (French), published by Edmond Deman. Lithograph; image: 28.2 x 23 cm (11 1/8 x 9 1/16 in.). The Cleveland Museum of Art, Gift of The Print Club of Cleveland 1927.477.11