I think that those who criticise the Christian artistic tradition for always presenting Christ as a northern European are wrong, and it reveals, on the part of the critics, ironically, a narrow, parochial Eurocentric bias in their interpretation of history.
Wonderful article. Then there is the whole question whether the pigments used in the paintings look the same today as when they were originally painted - pigments often turn lighter or darker depending on how they were preserved. Religious images were often overpainted in later times.
I’ve never heard anyone say that, exactly that “Christian art” depicts Jesus that way. I have heard the critique that a certain era of European art depicts Jesus that way. I’m sure there are those out there making sloppy arguments.
The traditional pigments used in iconography typically don't change colour. Later, often chemically produced pigments were 'fugitive', such as some greens, which lose their colour due to prolonged exposure to light. However, these were used in later oil paintings of landscapes, rather than iconography. Scheele's Green (also known as Schloss Green), developed by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1775, was fugitive, for example. Regarding iconography, changes in appearance can occur due to deposits of carbon on the surface from candle smoke. Additionally, as you pointed out they were often overpainted rather than cleaned in the past, so you aren't entirely sure if you are seeing the original. The famous Vladimir Mother of God was revealed after cleaning and removal of overpainting. In oil paintings, it is the oil medium which browns over time.
I don't know enough about the texts you recommend to comment and I don't understand who you are quoting in the quote that starts, 'Florida's...' I leave it up in the cause of free speech, but without implying any personal endorsement.
The difference between an artistic historian who knows his subject, and ulterior propaganda….
Wonderful article. Then there is the whole question whether the pigments used in the paintings look the same today as when they were originally painted - pigments often turn lighter or darker depending on how they were preserved. Religious images were often overpainted in later times.
I’ve never heard anyone say that, exactly that “Christian art” depicts Jesus that way. I have heard the critique that a certain era of European art depicts Jesus that way. I’m sure there are those out there making sloppy arguments.
Hi Aristarchus and thank you.
The traditional pigments used in iconography typically don't change colour. Later, often chemically produced pigments were 'fugitive', such as some greens, which lose their colour due to prolonged exposure to light. However, these were used in later oil paintings of landscapes, rather than iconography. Scheele's Green (also known as Schloss Green), developed by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1775, was fugitive, for example. Regarding iconography, changes in appearance can occur due to deposits of carbon on the surface from candle smoke. Additionally, as you pointed out they were often overpainted rather than cleaned in the past, so you aren't entirely sure if you are seeing the original. The famous Vladimir Mother of God was revealed after cleaning and removal of overpainting. In oil paintings, it is the oil medium which browns over time.
I don't know enough about the texts you recommend to comment and I don't understand who you are quoting in the quote that starts, 'Florida's...' I leave it up in the cause of free speech, but without implying any personal endorsement.