a visit with jesus

 Bible Art

The Blasphemer
Artist: William Blake
 c. 1800    Painting

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This watercolor painting is linked  to the Old Testament book of Leviticus, chapter 24 verse 23:
And Moses spake to the children of Israel, that they should bring forth him that had cursed out of the camp, and stone him with stones. And the children of Israel did as the Lord commanded Moses.

The Body of the Dead Christ in the Tomb
Artist: Hans Holbein the Younger
 1521    Painting

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In this panel, Holbein has created a life-size image of Christ, lying in his tomb. The greenish hue to the skin, in particular around the wounds on the hand, feet and torso, as well as on his face suggest the putrefaction of flesh and results in an almost grotesque image. Rather than creating a sense of calm or peace, the mouth and eyes are shown wide open, so that the pain endured on the cross seems to continue into the tomb. These elements emphasize Christ's humanity over his divine status and this is compounded by the unnaturally stretched and emaciated body being confined in an uncomfortably narrow space, imbuing it with an uneasy claustrophobia. 

This oil and tempera painting on lime wood is in the Öffentliche Kunstsammlung, Basel, Switzerland