A media campaign promoting Holy Week in Seville, Spain has caused a stir within the Catholic community after an image of Christ wearing nothing but draped material has been denounced as “sexualised” and “homoerotic.”
The depiction, designed by Seville artist Salustiano Garcia shows Jesus after his resurrection, stood semi-naked in front of a blood red background, while his lower torso is covered with cloth.
Local Easter Week organisers the Council of Brotherhoods and Guilds says the poster promotes the “radiant side of Holy Week" in the "purest style of this prestigious painter."
Responding to the image on X (formally known as Twitter), Catholic group the Institute of Social Policy (IPSE) dubbed it a “shameful aberration.”
“This poster is a true aberration. A sexualized and effete Christ. We consider this poster a serious offense that completely decontextualizes the true meaning of #SemanaSanta [Holy Week].”
Este cartel es una verdadera aberración.
— Instituto de Politica Social (@IPS_Esp) January 27, 2024
❌ Un Cristo sexualizado y amanerado
Desde el Instituto de Política Social (IPSE), consideramos una ofensa grave este cartel que descontextualiza completamente el verdadero significado de la #SemanaSanta.
Exigimos su retirada isofacta pic.twitter.com/6amhDQX3E5
The group have demanded it be immediately removed.
Spanish politician Juan Espadas defended the artwork as a combination of the region’s “tradition and modernity”, while other social media users have argued the clothing is similar to many other depictions of Jesus.
