MADRID. A poster in the southern Spanish city of Seville featuring a youthful and handsome Jesus clad only in a loincloth has stirred a social media storm, drawing criticism for its depiction of Christ. Created by internationally acclaimed Seville artist Salustiano García Cruz, the poster portrays a fresh-faced Jesus without the traditional crown of thorns, devoid of a suffering expression, and with minimal wounds on the hands and ribcage. Commissioned and approved by the General Council of Brotherhoods, responsible for organizing the Holy Week processions in Seville, the artwork has ignited a passionate debate over the representation of a resurrected Christ.
The poster, unveiled last week, quickly became the subject of viral criticism on social media, with some considering it disrespectful, excessively attractive, modernist, and deviating from Seville’s Easter tradition. Spain, a predominantly Catholic country, holds religious traditions in high regard, attracting both believers and non-believers to events such as marriages, baptisms, and religious parades. A Change.org campaign urging the withdrawal of the Jesus poster garnered around 14,000 signatures from across the country.
In defense of his work, artist García dismissed the critics as old-fashioned and argued that his painting incorporated elements that have been present in sacred art for centuries. He stated, “There is nothing revolutionary in the painting. There is contemporaneity, but all the elements that I have used are elements that have been used in the last seven centuries in sacred art.”
Responding to accusations from conservative groups that the depiction was “effeminate” or “homoerotic,” García stated, “A gay Christ because he looks sweet and is handsome, come on! We are in the 21st century.”
The artist revealed that he used his son, Horacio, as the model for the controversial poster. Horacio noted the controversy surrounding the model’s attractiveness but emphasized that many compliments and good wishes were also received.
Despite calls to replace the poster before Holy Week at the end of March, the General Council of Brotherhoods has not taken action. Seville Mayor José Luis Sanz dismissed the controversy as “artificial” and expressed his support for the poster, acknowledging that Holy Week posters can vary in style each year. “Some posters are riskier, some more classical, some are more daring,” he commented.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
