DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18825#0190
246 OF CHARACTER. [lECT. Vl.
In the character which the greatest painters have
chosen to represent Christ, there appears a very ge-
neral resemblance of features ; because, the parts
which composed his moral character being perma-
nent, his picturesque character (so to term it) con-
tains such traits as correspond with it. Meekness,
benevolence, compassion, mingled with dignity
(sometimes with fervor, never with anger or pride),
forbid the marks of irregular passions, which, alas !
are too universal among mankind. To represent him
at any period during his life, it should be remem-
bered, that he was " a man of sorrows, and ac-
quainted with grief;" but after his resurrection, as
his sorrows and grief are past, his countenance must
exhibit complacency, majesty, and dignity.
The Apostles should be drawn in a style suitable
to their apostolic office, and not to their previous
professions: Peter., as an apostle, should have more
dignity united to his warmth, than is due to him as a
fisherman.
As the stations of Peter and John are very con-
spicuous in Evangelical History, they are naturally
introduced into most compositions representing Gos-
pel events; and artists have generally agreed in the
character proper to each : but, to retain, as some
have done, the youthful appearance of John-, when
the story related happened in his old age, is absurd;
no excuse can justify so flagrant a violation cf pictu-
resque propriety.
Judas Iscariot requires very distinct features
from any of the other Apostles; for, though it is
evident the disciples rather suspected themselves than
him
In the character which the greatest painters have
chosen to represent Christ, there appears a very ge-
neral resemblance of features ; because, the parts
which composed his moral character being perma-
nent, his picturesque character (so to term it) con-
tains such traits as correspond with it. Meekness,
benevolence, compassion, mingled with dignity
(sometimes with fervor, never with anger or pride),
forbid the marks of irregular passions, which, alas !
are too universal among mankind. To represent him
at any period during his life, it should be remem-
bered, that he was " a man of sorrows, and ac-
quainted with grief;" but after his resurrection, as
his sorrows and grief are past, his countenance must
exhibit complacency, majesty, and dignity.
The Apostles should be drawn in a style suitable
to their apostolic office, and not to their previous
professions: Peter., as an apostle, should have more
dignity united to his warmth, than is due to him as a
fisherman.
As the stations of Peter and John are very con-
spicuous in Evangelical History, they are naturally
introduced into most compositions representing Gos-
pel events; and artists have generally agreed in the
character proper to each : but, to retain, as some
have done, the youthful appearance of John-, when
the story related happened in his old age, is absurd;
no excuse can justify so flagrant a violation cf pictu-
resque propriety.
Judas Iscariot requires very distinct features
from any of the other Apostles; for, though it is
evident the disciples rather suspected themselves than
him