Analysis of the Painting Christ Heals at the Pool of Bethesda

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Throughout history religion has been taught by art. The Christian religion especially, teaches about their religion through stories or parables. Some of these stories have been turned into art to further the understanding of the story. Many Christian artists have showed Christ’s life through paintings. Carl Bloch had the opportunity to paint the life of Christ for the Frederiksborg Castle church. They showed his birth to the Virgin Mary and his death on the cross. These paintings also show what he did on earth. Christ taught and healed many people. Some of his paintings are alter pieces for the church. The size of these paintings invites its viewers to experience the story in the painting and apply it to themselves. In the painting Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda by Carl Bloch, it is portrayed that even in times of darkness and despair Christ is there to help people.
In Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda Bloch’s use of lighting plays a crucial roll. The painting is shadowed and quite dark, but Christ is light and bright. The men behind Christ who are dark and shadowed are those who are trying to accuse him of wrongdoings. They are the opposite of Christ. Christ is the brightest figure in the painting. He is lifts the shelter of cloth, showing the sticks and straw that the elderly man is lying on. This man is amongst the darkest in the painting with the worst circumstances. Although this elderly man is sick and dirty, it is Christ who is there to help and ultimately heal him. The lighting helps portray that even when it looks like hope is lost and the darkness has won, Christ is there to help you and give you light to continue.
The colors of the painting Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda are all quite dull an...

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...ist help him. Hoffman’s painting shows that people who want Christ’s help and healing power go to him and ask. However, in Bloch’s painting Christ goes and reaches out to those who are in despair and asks them if he can help them. Both of these paintings show Christ’s want and willingness to help and heal people.
Religion has always been able to give people something to look to for help. It answers their questions and gives them hope for the future. In the Christian faith, followers are taught that Christ will help them if they believe and follow Him. The painting by Carl Bloch Christ Healing at the Pool of Bethesda is a prime example of Christ helping and healing those who are experiencing times of hopelessness, and need someone to turn to. Religion is what helps ground people and gives them hope. If we didn’t have religion people would be lost and in darkness.

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