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RELIGIOUS ART | NEWS OF WEEK

ALPHA OMEGA ARTS 
By TAHLIB
As our leaders squabbled in Washington, D.C. over what they treasure most, a museum in Utah hung Heinrich Hofmann's "Christ and the Rich Young Ruler" (above), and that is my NEWS OF WEEK. This painting, done by Hofmann in 1888, illustrates one of Jesus' riddles where he attempts to penetrate through to a man’s idolatry by causing him to think: "Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’ (Luke 18:22)." In Christianity, idolatry is what is treasured more than Christ, and this man chose his wealth. What does Hofmann's "Rich Young Ruler" say to us today?

In other religious art news from across the USA, and around the world:
  1. Buddhist Art of Week: Asian art markets continue impressive sales worldwide. [More News]
  2. Hindu Art of Week: M. F. Husain’s ‘Bhopal’ to be auctioned in London, Oct. 8. [More News]
  3. Islamic Art of Week: Pouran Jinchi deconstructs calligraphy, beginning with text. [More News]
  4. Judaic Art of Week: Marc Chagall's dark side revealed at NY's Jewish Museum. [More News]
  5. A&O Prizes for 2013: Make your nomination today (Call is open until Oct.15). [Ballot 2013]
It's more than Art. It's Religion. We are believers (and skeptics too), united in the search for human meaning through art from the religious imagination. We believe in the artists and craftsman who dare to explore religious themes through their creativity. When you believe, you join other believers. Some of us join the Alpha Omega Arts as dues-paying members; others support the A&O Prize - Youth Scholarships as donors; and most subscribe to this "free" weekly newsletter (or follow on: Tumblr, Twitter, Facebook or Soundcloud). All are welcome. 
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Comments

Gregory A. Disney said…
The Rich Young Rulers is truly one of my favorite Bible stories and this painting brings that story to life!
Sun Sep 29, 10:01:00 AM EDT
Ernest Disney-Britton said…
Hofmann's painting does not bring to my mind that this was a test. Instead, it makes me feel about earnest recruitment, and hope. What we know of this time is that the Jewish people were politically fractured, and what if Jesus really expected and hoped that this rich Sadducee would join with his team of radical Zealots and isolationist Essenes? What we know is that Jesus didn't form a tribe of like-minded people, but of people who were radically different from each other (as different as Washington D.C.'s Republicans and Democrats), and he was forming a group of people committed to a shared dialogue about a dream. This painting makes me see Jesus as the expert facilitator. Look to his welcoming arms, the open hands, and his eyes seem full of hopeful expectation. Hofmann offers an example for the polarized rulers of today, and I hope they will take a look and see that they are missing something just like the Rich Young Ruler.
Sun Sep 29, 04:12:00 PM EDT
Ginger Bievenour said…
I think of several responses to this work and the accompanying comments: I do not believe that all Christians value idolatry more than Christ - that is an assumption and does not apply to all groups of Christians (Mennonites, Amish to name but two); the words of the parable are certainly still very applicable to today, but I'm afraid that the painting itself will not speak as clearly to a contemporary audience as it may have spoken to a 19th century audience; while a beautiful work, the imagery is of the past. Could it prompt conversation? Of course - much as an illustration in a book would act as a springboard for discussion.
Mon Sep 30, 08:16:00 PM EDT
Ernest Disney-Britton said…
I agree! It does bring the story to life, must like Ginger mentions in her post as an illustration (which I am sure was the artists intention).
Tue Oct 01, 09:52:00 AM EDT
Ernest Disney-Britton said…
I totally agree. It's hard to imagine someone professing to be Christian while valuing idols more than Christ. On the other hand, I also see idolatry as more than monetary riches, and instead it is anything put before Christ. When I think of the situation in Washington, DC I see a group of rulers who are putting their idols (pride and prejudice) above the invitation of Christ which is to follow his example of loving and living together while building the kingdom of heaven on earth. This painting really captures that for me, and as the government shuts down, I wish it did the same for them.
Tue Oct 01, 10:01:00 AM EDT
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