The Real History of the Image of Jesus
Artists have portrayed Jesus Christ as a white European man with penetrating blue eyes for generations. Historians counter that this portrayal is wildly inaccurate. They contend that Jesus’ appearance would have been more in line with that of a typical man in Palestine at the period, with curly black hair, a stockier physique, and a lower stature.
The renowned Dutch photographer and digital artist Bas Uterwijk made the decision to resolve the long-standing controversy regarding Jesus’ appearance. Using Artbreeder’s machine learning capabilities and state-of-the-art technology, he set out to produce the most accurate depiction of Jesus to date.
By researching historical accounts and relying on classical literature and Fayum mummy images, Uterwijk modified the ethnicity, length of hair, and beard to match what would be more realistic for the period and locale of Jesus’ life. The outcome is an amazing work of art that sheds light on Jesus’ possible actual appearance.
Revealing the Real Jesus
The Bible claims that Jesus was born at Bethlehem in 4 BC, raised in Egypt and Judea, and then moved to Nazareth, in modern-day Israel. According to Joan Taylor, the author of “What Did Jesus Look Like,” Jesus was roughly five feet five inches tall, with olive skin, dark black hair, and brown eyes, all of which were typical features of the people in Judea and Egypt at the time.
Taylor underlines that the 4th or 5th century is when the popularly portrayed Jesus with his long hair, clothes, and beard first appeared. Jesus, however, most likely had a quite distinct appearance. He would have had a beard, shortish black hair, and probably been wearing sandals as a Jewish man in that era. He was described as being disheveled and untidy, a real wanderer who lived among the impoverished and accepted the kindness of strangers.
Forensic facial reconstruction expert Richard Neave also tried to replicate the appearance of a typical first-century Judean male, which may have been Jesus’s appearance. In stark contrast to the conventional representations of a European Jesus, Neave’s reconstruction shows a stocky guy with dark hair, a buzzed beard, and olive skin.
Finding the True Jesus Again
The disclosure of Jesus’ actual appearance upends our assumptions and compels us to reconsider our interpretation of the historical figure. Immersed in the culture and environment of his day, he was a Middle Eastern Jew rather than a pale European figure. Accepting this portrayal helps us to better understand the variety and applicability of Jesus’ teaching.
Thus, let us keep in mind that Jesus’ teachings go beyond his outward shape as his image assumes a fresh and genuine form. His message of acceptance, love, and compassion is ageless and relevant to all ages and ethnicities.
Would you kindly take a moment to tell your family and friends about this startling discovery on Facebook? Let’s unite in celebrating the real Jesus Christ, despite our preconceived notions and misconceptions.
