The Jesus painting

http://www.flickr.com/photos/freestone/135556525/">

The preceding website will take you to a painting of Jesus that I analyzed.

As I browsed through the myriad of pictures, I made an observation about the different body language used between the people being worshiped and the worshipers. In almost all of the pictures, my eye's attention was immediately drawn to their heads. Those being worshiped either had their head cocked to one side or were looking down at their worshipers. Both positions held either a humble or endearing appearance. The worshiper's head was either down in a bowing position or his hands were above his head; both humbling positions.

Universally, this shows me that most religions do look to the sky as something positive, whether it is where they will go after they die, or just a place to cry out to. I did not once see a worshiper looking down at the ground purposely as a way to communicate with a god whom is "located" under the earth.

Other than Jesus being the center focus of the portrait, he also represents an average, lower class man clothed with mere cloth. At the same time, he is also placed at the same level as the clouds and is much larger than an entire city. Jesus' stance over the earth and the gray and white clouds in the background almost imply his power over the earth, like he's controlling the weather; which no mortal could possibly do. The mere glow of this man shows that he represents something symbolic. He is not only a peasant but he is also above all things simultaneously. With arms wide open, and calm inviting eyes, this man is the ultimate symbol of what Christianity is all about. Based on this painting, Jesus' followers are forced to be below him, in a submissive state; but his followers can also relate to his humanistic qualities. Similar to David's idolized, yet relatable position in the Bible, Jesus represents the ultimate goal of perfection.

The system I see begins with natural landscape, man building over that landscape, natural weather happenings affect the people, and Jesus controls all things. Literally Jesus is the King of all, yet can still be someone all of us can strive to be like. Based on the Psalms, this picture would represent Jesus' state of decision upon the nation. If the nation is being righteous and "Christian", the clouds will go away and there will be peace on the land, if the nation is not doing God's will, more than a storm may be a result of their behavior. Overall, the man in the picture has the "whole world in his hands."