Not a conventional anything





Christ of St. John of the Cross

   For the past thousand years the crucifixion has dominated Christian art, an icon of suffering and a promise of salvation. Even in the increasingly secular society of the 20th century, the crucifixion gave rise to one unforgettable image - "Christ of St. John of the Cross".
 We seem to see Christ soaring above us above the earth; a powerful image which conveys a sense of space represented in a way never seen before. Its painter was not a conventional religious figure or a conventional anything. Famous in life for his antics and at work for his cheerful use of blasphemy, masturbation and excrement, yet many Christians today are profoundly moved by his vision. The painting has become synonymous with images that speak to the world. It is now believed to be the greatest religious painting of the 20th century. Today, the painting hangs in Glasgow in St. Mungo's Museum of Religious Life and Art. It exemplifies Surrealism at its best. When one looks at the work it becomes obvious that one is looking at something that could never have been seen; a view looking down at the crucifixion that seems to convey some sense of hope.