In this volume, the original text has been condensed and hundreds of new illustrations have been added, to give a more visual representation of the way in which Jesus has been portrayed artistically through the two millennia of Christianity. Always one of the most popular figures in Eastern and Western art, Jesus has also been one of the most enigmatic and difficult to portray. `"Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Do not be lead away by diverse and strange teachings" (Heb. 13:8-9). With these words the New Testament admonished its readers to remain loyal to the deposit of the authentic and authoritative tradition of Christ, as this had come down to them through the apostles of the first generation.... But for purposes of this book, it is the historical import of this phrase that must chiefly engage our attention. For, as will become evident in considerable detail before this history of images of Jesus through the centuries is finished, it is not sameness but kaleidoscopic variety that is its most conspicuous feature.'

Art has, of course, had many different purposes and intentions throughout history -- education, enlightenment, idealistic or realistic representation, and veneration, in addition to simple decoration. The changing imagery of Jesus reflects the changing culture; when Christ is seen as a more divine figure, or when Jesus is shown as completely human, the artist is reflecting the theology and sociology of the time.

One primary image of Jesus presented earliest was that of a rabbi, or teacher. In fact, even when Mary first sees the risen Christ, scripture reports that she called out to him, Rabbouni! Yet from the earliest representations, it was clear that this element was not sufficient for a full description, and that much more was needed. Prophet, priest, king, victim, divinity -- all had particular Jewish contexts which, when recast in the Hellenistic and pagan terms, took new meanings and directions.

One intriguing aspect of the artistic imagery of Jesus is the continuing pendulum swing between contemporary representation (making Jesus and the imagery surrounding him contemporary with the artist) and the more 'historically accurate' representations which try to recreate the imagery of first-century Jerusalem. This shows the continuing conceptual struggle between viewing Jesus as a timeless character whose life events continue through time and the historical human being of Jesus who lived two thousand years ago. Long before scholars banded together in such groups as 'The Jesus Seminar', artists and theologians were playing out their own interpretations of the historicity-vs.-timeless version of Jesus Christ.

This book is an opulent collection of photographs of paintings, drawings and other works of art that illustrate the meaning of the textual arguments Pelikan makes; it is also a wonderful source for contemplation, as one goes from early catacomb depictions to Michaelangelo to Marc Chagall, in reviewing in media without words the way Jesus has appeared to various people and cultures over time, and what insights these images can provide for seekers today.


Fascinating subject, badly expressed   October 8, 2001
 1 out of 11 found this review helpful

Pelikan is an admirable scholar who has fine concepts behind his soundly reasoned books. Unfortunately, his writing style slows and disheartens the reader. He has a genius for taking fascinating subjects and reducing them to boredom.