Man of Sorrows
15” x 15”
Ink and Watercolor on Paper
This is a drawing of a carved wood figurine we bought in Lithuania years ago along with a small tea light holder (also bought in Lithuania). I took photos of them together in a dark room, then put together a diorama on Photoshop with a forest background.
We had worked in Lithuania 1992-2013, living in Kaunas those last 8 years before retiring as family counselors. We came to appreciate their heritage and culture, and those impressions still live in us.
The figurine is called “Pensive Christ.“ One of our interpreter colleagues referred to it as “Thinking Jesus.” This traditional figure goes back to the late fourteenth century and shows Jesus sitting on a stone, bent over, supporting his head with one hand while resting the other on his knee. Sometimes he is crowned with thorns, sometimes not, but either way he bears an expression of exhaustion and grief which is associated with his impending crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. Throughout history there are gruesome depictions of this and others that are more friendly and reflective; this figurine fits into the latter.
After Lithuania won its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, its folk art became more prominent as part of the country’s restoration and identity. The modern folk art we collected was colorful and fun.
After President Trump won the election last year, I felt it was time to do this drawing. I believe this administration is intentionally making life unbearable for our country and wants to do harm to the rest of the world. Unfortunately, a lot of self-righteous Christians like to revel in “glory” and “victory”– but we have entered a time of darkness. Humility, empathy, understanding, and kindness are seen as weak and foolish.
We pray that this administration will be defeated, and that our country can be restored. After the defeat (whenever that will be) we hope that America (USA) can stop advertising and boasting to be great, and that the people of our country would desire to become normal, stable, loving, and respectful human beings.
Darkness will not win.