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The Seven Last Words of Jesus
My paintings are based on six of the seven phrases that Jesus spoke while on the cross before he died. Each painting explores a phrase and conceptualizes the moment. I believe these statements have themes, concepts and/or interrelated ideas that have been interpreted and studied since that day forth.
In the painting "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise", Jesus replies to one of the criminals who had asked him to remember him in his kingdom. I wanted to add a surreal feel to the canvas because of the fact that I do not know how or what Paradise looks like. Basically I painted my idea of a paradise.
In the "Woman here is you son, here is you Mother" painting, Jesus and a spirit-like form of Jesus is portrayed to show comfort towards Mary and the disciple John. The painting was done with Faux finishing techniques to accent the soft and tender words of Jesus.
In the "I am thirsty" painting, another surreal desert like image is painted to have the viewer sense the hardship of thirst.
In the "My God, my God why have you forsaken me" painting, Jesus is portrayed again, in another hardship. In this painting I try to portray feelings of loneliness, anguish and despair. It's a desperate cry of fear, a feeling of being abandoned by God.
"Father, into your hands I commend my spirit" is in my opinion the most intense and climactic statement he made. I am representing a human hand and Jesus' spirit being commended to God. I wanted to show Jesus at his most human, reaching out to God.
"I am Finished" is an exploration of Jesus' spirit still here with us. It is a victorious moment, a gesture of love. It's bittersweet. It is the finalization of the prophecy and it was a form of closure for the apostles and him.
artist: Monica Barrera
Six pieces, each with the following measurements: 16 ¾" x 13 ½"
Top painting (Hands releasing ball of light): Oil pastel on paper
Other paintings: Acrylic paint on canvas board
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John 19:26
When Jesus saw his mother and the disciple whom he loved standing beside her, he said to his mother, "Woman, here is your son." Then he said to the disciple, "Here is your mother." And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.
Luke 23:30-35
Two others also, who were criminals, were led away to be put to death with him.
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left.
Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do."
Luke 23:39
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, "So you're the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself-- and us, too, while you're at it!"
But the other criminal protested, "Don't you fear God even when you are dying? We deserve to die for our evil deeds, but this man hasn't done anything wrong."
Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom."
And Jesus replied, "I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise."
Matthew 27:45-46
At noon, darkness fell across the whole land until three o'clock.
At about three o'clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?" which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
John 19:28
After this, when Jesus knew that all was now finished, he said (in order to fulfill the scripture), "I thirst."
A jar full of sour wine was standing there. So they put a sponge full of the wine on a branch of hyssop and held it to his mouth.
When Jesus had received the wine, he said, "It is finished." Then he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
Luke 23:44-46
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon, while the sun's light failed; and the curtain of the temple was torn in two.
Then Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, "Father, into your hands I commend my spirit."
Having said this, he breathed his last.
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