Face of Christ with Cross

I suppose most artists painting from the Biblical narrative will come across the challenge of how to picture Christ. I have painted many versions of Him—as Jewish, Filipino, Chinese, African and Caucasian. I suppose all are valid, given Jesus’s desire for a universal Kingdom where everyone sees God in their own image, as God created all of us in His image.

But then there is the emotional component. Here, I painted a Christ that is resigned to His mission– His “purpose-driven death.”. And yet, in an odd way, I also see determination. Does He wear the crown of thorns proudly, knowing that soon it will be exchanged for a new crown of glory?