The depiction of Christ in art has varied widely throughout history. I'm sure every individual has an opinion about how they would prefer Him to be depicted; these preferences include not only attributes such as hair color, but also characterizations of Him which can be more subtle, such as His build and His overall aura.
Tonight I was looking at some vintage and antique ephemera (old paper items!) which depict Christ. For some reason I thought of a sculpture that I really admire which is in the permanent collection of The North Carolina Museum of Art, here in Raleigh, NC. This sculpture, "Deposed Christ," is attributed to Guiseppe Mazzuoli and depicts Christ after He has died and been taken down from the cross ("to depose" means "to put or lay down"). It's 22 inches long and is made of copper. It's small size helps to make it a very personal artwork and creates a sense of intimacy for the viewer, as one must lean in and over it in order to get a really good look at it. The picture on the museum's website doesn't do it justice. In person one is able to discern its subtle variations in color, which a living metal such as copper can exhibit. The sculptural details, such as those found in the musculature, veining, and facial structure, are amazing. I won't go into why I like this particular depiction of Christ (not that I necessarily could do so!), but if you happen to be in the area, stop in and take a peek at this work of art!
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Here are a few links about Christian art:
"Christian Art" on wikipedia.com
The Online Collection of Christian and Liturgical Art
"The Depiction of Jesus" on wikipedia.com
"Cultural Depictions of Jesus" on wikipedia.com
"Madonna (art)" on wikipedia.com
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"The Depiction of Jesus" on wikipedia.com
"Cultural Depictions of Jesus" on wikipedia.com
"Madonna (art)" on wikipedia.com
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And here are a list of books on the topic which are all linked to barnesandnoble.com:
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