Everybody likes to watch a movie. Almost everybody likes to listen music. But only some people like paints to look at. People simply become more and more simple and cannot stand the act of ‘contemplating’ any more. All the above except for the paintings cannot be perceived and enjoyed without engaging any deep thinking. Painting is one of the unique forms of art that requires thinking. It is fare in painter’s point of view it is obviously one superior form of art comparing others in general. It is also true that the painting has less opportunity to appeal to the people. In other words it is limited to a piece of canvas to communicate with the viewer. However can anyone think any better communicator than the painting?
Kimbell Art Museum in Fort Worth is hosting a special exhibition from November18th, 2007. The title is ‘Picturing the Bible, The earliest Christian Art’. Anyone is welcomed who can afford twelve dollars and appreciate these rare arts are in town. Another reason to visit Kimbell Art Museum is because it is already famous with its permanent exhibition. Especially for Christians Baroque and Medieval Christian Art Collections are something cannot be missed. Now must be a good time for Southwesterners to visit the Kimbell since they can experience many Christian arts in chronological order up to 18th century, little over to ‘church and empire’ period.
The exhibition is displayed starting with the pictures of catacombs, which have been redrawn into a paper in early twentieth century. Walking through these catacombs, pictures are well depicted that the visitors easily recognize the intention of the exhibitor. They almost enforce the visitors to think they are the persecuted Christians of the first century. The lights were dimmed down and all pictures are displayed very closely together to take away the breath of resting between the steps of the visitors moving unto the next picture.
It is also so evident that nothing much in painting style has changed over almost two millenniums. Although we have different names for the major eras and styles there always this simple way of depicting what the painter wanted the observer to understand. One canvas is yet very limited but it definitely is stronger than any other art forms. First century Christians did not leave much writings but drawings. But even the ones seem like not Christian depiction still look very religious. As in Romans 1:19 says, “What may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.” people might have not known who it is but seemed to be so longing for someone out there. Painting how they thought He was looked amazingly similar to God we know from the Bible. It was actually picturing the Bible.
However my amazing excavation at the catacomb was interrupted when Dr.Koo who went to the Kimbell together grabbed my attention into what he discovered. ‘Sarcophagus’ was a definitely new word to look up. Such an elaborate and exquisite sarcophagus had much to talk about. Dr.Koo’s cold joke was the initiation mark of much discussion. He said that the sculptor who made this must have taken his lifetime. He meant that it looked as if it would take so long that the sculptor would have designed for himself. Then I made a comment on it saying, “Did every casket have this kind of carvings on it?” And the answer was obvious ‘no’ since there should be more pieces to be found and also these could have not been so precious. “Then who could afford to order this?”. “Even in the first and second century there were rich Christians, sir.” The answer from a manager was not satisfactory but was not a big issue when I reached at another new question. “They did not ask to make sarcophaguses which have their own lives drawn but mostly of Christ. Okay, this is the expression of their faith. But then even if it is so beautiful once it is buried under the ground that would be able to look at this beauty?” Then I came to the logical conclusion that it was their faith representation unto the Lord who can see everything in everywhere. Isn’t our God omnipresent and omniscient after all and above all? I maybe too mystical here yet I was amazed and impressed in honor of their faith. All these arts were so carefully picked, designed and ordered to the sculptor for exalting the Lord Jesus Christ. “so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death.” (Phil. 1:20, NKJV)
I was frustrated in strong conviction. Even if I was said to be one of the mature and fanatic for the Lord these dead Christians seemed a lot better than I. I might be the first person who would be convicted with jealousy by looking at a coffin. While I was depressed without knowing it we were standing in front of another sarcophagus which I cannot remember the name. It is rendered mostly with Jonah’s story. Interesting! It is more like a dragon than a whale when they depicted the ‘great fish’ in the Bible. So I looked for other sarcophaguses and they all looked the same, dragons. This new discovery somehow cheers me up. When the whale that I know happens to the dragon that I have not seen or sure of historical existence whole my imagination lifted up to fantasy. And no one can blame me for this since if the first century Christians thought the ‘great fish’ was a sort of dragon than a whale, the chances are they must know better. “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” (Jonah 1:17, NKJV). Dragon is more likely to swallow and spit out Jonah since the whale looks stiffed-neck than dragon.
It is true that many times I have thought there aren’t many Christians who appreciate the Christian arts and there are not many who can financially support these works. However at this exhibition we both reached in a different conclusion on it. ‘Art itself has not been shared Gospel.’ In other words, there are many Christians going and sharing a Gospel with the artists and therefore the art itself is lost. The art is going to hell since nobody is telling them the truth.
From the catacomb to the bookstore at the exit this was my careful conclusion. All art is religious in some sort. Many have been truthful since anyone eagerly seeks the Lord could meet Him. Art was a ramification of their worship to Jesus. And it digressed and depraved by the false religion. Many started to believe what they wanted and started to worship in their own ways. However bad art is not all bad after all since it is the record and will become a history how much we are lost.
Therefore I come to this conclusion, “The art may never lose its worship but it can easily lose its worth.” I hope hundred years later my kids will look back and see the major turn in Christian Arts from my generation’s reformation on Arts. Until the day comes, amen. Even so, come, my LORD JESUS.