What does Salvador Dali's painting the 'Ascension of Christ'?

Answer 1

The picture is showing Christ on the Cross. We appear to be looking at it from God's point of view - looking down. The cross is floating in a dark sky which could be oppressive, but the world represented by the seascape is full of light in contrast. Jesus' head is down but His arms and shoulders show strength so there is a sense of power about Him, as though He is not defeated. There is no blood, nails or thorn of crowns so the sense of violence and despair is not oppressive either. The cross seems to act like a bridge between us and God - as Jesus said He was. 'I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself' John 12:32. Jesus was troubled that His hour of death was near, but knew that this was why He came, so that God's name would be glorified The world appears to be represented by fishermen. Jesus called His disciples to be fishers of men to bring people to know him, for He is the way and the truth and the light. Jesus asks us to serve God by following Him, as He asked the fishermen to do. Christians believe that Christ's death on the cross is God's act of love to us - He so loved the world that he gave us His only son. The body of Jesus on the cross shows us the depth of God's suffering and his humiliation for us. Jesus asks us to follow Him by giving ourselves to God, by putting other people first. He says 'Whoever serves me must follow me and that then the Father's name will be glorified' and people will be able to see God, through Jesus and through us. The painting was voted as Glasgow's most popular, taking 29% of the votes and so it must mean a great deal to some people. I liked it better in St Mungo's Museum, where it was moved whilst its home at Kelvingrove was being rennovated. It was hung over a stairwell and viewers could see it from below and also from above if they stood on the staircase. Dali saw a drawing by a Carmelite friar who had seen Christ on the cross in a vision and he was inspired to paint his picture from the same viewpoint. Dali's painting has received critiscism from the art world because they thought it too mundane after his other works and thought that he was trying to show the Catholic Church that he still had feelings. The painting has been vandalised twice so it must arise passion in some people. Paintings show people what is inside them and makes them think. What do you think when you look at it?

Answer 2

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