Bad Art Saturday

I know he doesn't particularly care for me, but I still go over and visit the Catholic Caveman from time to time - only this last time, I have to say, I was truly aghast at what I found. He exposed what can only be called tasetless art done by a Franciscan, Brother Robert Lentz, OFM.

Now, mind you, I generally don't mind using traditional forms - in this case, iconography - apart from what it was intended to do. I am not really offended per se by a depiction of Albert Einstein as a saint because he was a religious and decent man, albeit not a Catholic. It is interesting, it is somewhat funny even, but not offensive. Dr. Einstein contributed much to science and for some people, I suppose that sets him apart. For you literary types, this same approach of using an icongraphic image was a central part of the story in Chaim Potok's novel, My Name is Asher Lev, where the young protagonist is ostracized by his Orthodox Jewish community because he used the image of a crucifix to portray the sacrifice and suffering of his mother in one of his paintings. As Asher states in the book, he had nothing with the same impact from which to draw and so I could see where someone wants to honor another person enough to where the archetype of "icon" - halo, hands extending in blessing - is used to protray that feeling.

However . . .

I am disturbed by Brother Lentz' pagan images - especially as they are coming from a professed religious. Take, as an example, this piece called Lord of the Dance. Brother Lentz gives an accurate description on his web site:

One of the most ancient masculine images of God in Europe is a benign antlered figure. This image predates Celtic civilization, but was embraced by the Celts for its beauty and truth. The Horned God was a protector of all animal life. He was especially linked with the masculine sexuality and spirituality. He was considered Lord of the Otherworld and guided souls to their destination after death. In Celtic art he is usually shown sitting cross-legged and wearing a torque -- the Celtic symbol of authority.

Super. Except when he goes on to say, Christian missionaries tried to stamp out the image of the horned god when they came to northern lands, yes indeedy, there is a reason for those insensitive missionaries doing so . . . because they were eliminating falsehood and enlightening the Celts with the Truth that is Jesus Christ. Jesus does not assume the image of the "old god" - He is the One True God. This image makes the Lord look like some simpering cross between Freddie Mercury and Geraldo Rivera with tree branches coming out of his head.

You want to see Jesus' masculinity? Look at a Crucifix - because it takes you-know-what to take up a cross for someone else's sins.