The Brothers Bar-Jona




by John Russell, 2007
acrylic and charcoal on paper
225.00 - sold

Exhibition history:
Good Friday at Galerie Penumbra, April 6 - 28, 2007

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hope that the general public will understand the symbolism in this painting.

Good work John!

Dr. Eric

John R.P. Russell said...

I have little hope of the general public understanding the symbolism. Do you fear them misinterpreting the upside-down cross?

Not without irony, the man who purchased this painting liked it for it's colors and its non-referentiality.

I don't mind this. In fact, I often deliberately choose archaic symbols in a kind of imitation of the early Christian practice of using secret or hidden forms of the cross or other symbols to identify themselves to one another.

Anonymous said...

Well, I am slightly concerned, just because in a previous conversation, we discussed other symbols that were Christian and have been hijacked by the Anti-Christian forces.

More telling is the symbolism of the martyrdom of the brothers. And the fact that there seems to be a rapprochement between the successors of the Brothers which many are trying to stop.

John R.P. Russell said...

troparion:

"You, Andrew, were first-called of the apostles;
Peter was supremely honored among the apostles.
"Both of you endured the cross of Christ,
Proving imitators of your Lord and Master,
And one in mind and soul. Therefore, with him,
As brothers, grant peace to us.

Amen.