Rouault's Christ Mocked by Soldiers.

I first saw an image of this painting at a small bookstore that smelled of glorious old books in Tillamook, Oregon.

It was in a pile of prints ripped from old books, and each print was sold for $1.  I had no clue who the artist was, but I was drawn to the image and could not take my eyes off of it.  After some research, I learned it was a piece called Christ Mocked by Soldiers, by Georges Rouault.  I have since been to a few museums and have stood in front of Rouault's work, always in awe of  his ability to express complex things through a simple medium. 

I am in an aesthetics philosophy class with Dr. Gordon Graham this semester, and to be honest, I don't quite speak the aesthetic language.  What I can say is that I experience this painting as beautiful, as powerful, and as a reminder of the Jesus I know.  This print is framed and resides upon the wall above the head of my bed.  I see it every day, and I am struck by something new each time. 

So it is with Jesus: I see and experience him each day, and am struck by something beautiful and new in each encounter.  What work of art moves you?

Comments

[Patrick O'Reilly]

Rouault's Head of Christ.

I am fortunate to have a New Testament published by Penguin,1964 copy, with the cover picture of Rouault's Head of Christ.

This I see every day morning and evening beside my bed. I see the meekness, the power, the wisdom, the understanding and more.

[Air Jordan shoes]

Fear not that thy life shall come to an end, but rather fear that it shall never have a beginning.

[Ellen]

I just discovered this picture today. Love it! What a great way to picture Christ. Look closely at the difference between His face and the soldier's faces. It makes me love Him all the more - He was innocent yet He endured it all for me. Wow - totally incomprehensible!