Even the sparrow finds a nest in which she puts her young, near to your altars, Lord Mighty God!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Pope Francis

His favorite painting is "The White Crucifixion" by Marc Chagall


from Wikipedia:

Summary

The white crucifixion painting emphasizes the suffering of Jesus and the Jewish people. At the sides violent acts against Jews occur such as the burning of a synagogue and invaders. And in the center, Jesus is shown crucified wearing a prayer shawl as a symbol that he is Jewish.[1] The work is startling as the crucifixion, often seen as a symbol of oppression by the Jewish people, is instead being used to represent their suffering.[2]
A green figure carrying a bundle is shown crossing the foreground. This figure, who appears in several of Chagall's works, has been interpreted as being either a Jewish wanderer from Yiddish tradition or the Prophet Elijah.[2]
Two changes were made by Chagall to the work, a swastika on the armband of the soldier burning the synagogue was overpainted as well as the words "Ich bin Jude" on a placard around the neck of a man.[1]
There is also a Lithuanian flag in the upper right hand of the painting. Also, in the upper left hand portion of the painting there are the red flags of communism.
Argentine-born Pope Francis, a well-established ally and friend of the Jewish people, [3] considers the painting to be his favorite.[4]

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