Comments on: Sutherland’s “Crucifixion” – Good Liturgical Art?

By: Jenny Thorpe

Jenny Thorpe — Sat, 16 Apr 2011 16:12:18 +0000

Apology accepted.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 13:03:38 +0000

Jenny Thorpe: I just noticed that yours is the image that was cedited. Authors of Flickr images are very easy to contact -I do so on many times- so I have no explanation as to why I did not contact you. Again, my apologies!

By: Bernie

Bernie — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 12:57:30 +0000

Jenny Thorpe: Thank you for your comment. I’m very sorry for the oversight. I make it a point to seek permission for using an image and to at least credit images whenever I can’t contact the photographer. Note that a picture credit is made for the other image in the post. For some reason I failed to do so in the case of your photograph. Please accept my apology.

By: Jenny Thorpe

Jenny Thorpe — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 11:43:22 +0000

The photograph of Sutherland’s Crucifixion was taken by myself, in my Parish Church. I am pleased that you think it of high enough quality to include in your website, but would have appreciated being asked first! I would have beeen honoured to have given permission. With regards to the painting- I think it is wonderful, and very moving.

By: Nerina

Nerina — Sat, 28 Aug 2010 02:09:52 +0000

I don’t know, Bernie. My first reaction is one of…revulsion? Of course, it is an image of our crucified Lord, so that in itself stirs strong emotions. (As an aside, my church has a resurrected Jesus over the altar, so I’m always happy to see a crucified image when I can because it reminds me that Christ is there in our own personal suffering). Anyway, this painting lacks something for me. Perhaps because it seems so final. There is no hint of what is to come next. It is dark. But I’m trying to remember the framework within which the artist worked (I’m sure his experiences in WWII influence his pieces). One thing that strikes me is the way Christ’s pectoral muscles are bathed in light, yet his abdominal cavity is receded in darkness. It almost looks like a mask with Christ’s nipples appearing like eyes. Does that sound dumb? It certainly is startling and I could think about it for a long time. As to the question “does it serve the Liturgy?” I think it’s close. It certainly doesn’t contradict doctrine, but it doesn’t tell the whole story either (and maybe that wasn’t the artist’s intent).