I find Boris Vallejo's painting of bodybuilder Jesus hilarious.
It's hard to imagine a picture more clueless about who Jesus was, what he stood for, the significance of the cross, or the principles of the New Testament. Its temptation-- to worship something with bulging muscles-- is understandable but its dumbnicity is comical.
There is a long tradition of imperial art that serves as a tool for the glorification of dictators. The ancient Egyptians or the Romans at the height of their imperial power understood how to use monumental sculptures and triumphal arches. They erected powerful columns which stood tall as a not-so-subtle symbol of their potency. The immense statue of Ramesses II, or the epic Trajan's column-- these creators understood power. The Romans left us many flattering statues of their emperors.
But if a Roman artist ever tried to sculpt the emperor with fake muscles popping out like a sack of potatoes, the crowds would've rolled on the ground laughing. The Roman public was not that stupid and the Roman emperors were not that shameless.
3 comments:
Here's even more bizarre "hero" shots of the most corrupt and inept fascist car salesman dimwit to ever occupy the Oval Office.
LOL, I knew that final image type was coming!!
It's an image that wants to create engagement. even if the reaction is negative, it still achieved its purpose. So as much as it pains me to say it... This is a succesful image.
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