Joseph Antenucci BECHERER and Henry Martin LUTTIKHUIZEN. Christ Among Us, Sculptures of Jesus across the History of Art. Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2022. Pp 1`44. $45.00 hb. ISBN 978-0-8028-7406-1. Reviewed by Francis BERNA, La Salle University, Philadelphia, PA 19141.

As the authors state in their extensive introduction, this is “a rare volume.” The book offers itself as a catalog for an art exhibit “that will never happen.” The catalog details fifty-two sculptures of Jesus from the third century, BCE through the twenty-first. The authors, art historians, intend the book for the professional and the novice; Roman Catholic and Protestant (Dutch Reformed); the religious believer and the secular person. The book likewise reflects their conversation with each other in both selecting and reviewing the sculptures.

Christ Among Us is itself a work of art. It calls for more that a simple reading of the text. The authors provide stunning, full-page, photographs for each of the fifty-two sculptures. The page opposite contains detailed descriptions, something of the history of each piece along with their own reflection. This reviewer “read the text” as if visiting an art exhibit. I first spent some time simply looking at the picture. What did I see? How did it strike me? Was there anything curious about the sculpture? After sitting with these questions, I would then read the detailed description and history of the work, then give the picture a second look.

   Early on, making my way through the book, “Christ on the Road to Emmaus” caught my attention. This limestone pier relief from the twelfth century can be found in a cloister garden of the Benedictine Abbey of Santo Domingo de Silos. The abbey served as an important pilgrimage spot on the road to Santiago de Compostela. The three barefoot travelers walk together with Christ seeming to lead the way. Christ’s satchel is decorated with a scallop shell, a frequent badge for pilgrims. Luttikhuizen proposes that in the cloister garden pilgrims “could become more intimate with God.” Additionally, he notes that “viewers learn to walk with Jesus prior to knowing who he really is” (p. 25).

   On a much smaller scale (about 2 in. in diameter) one finds detailed sculptures of the “Adoration of the Magi” and the “Crucifixion” in two halves of a prayer nut. Opening the walnut shaped carved nut, one finds the upper half scene hidden behind a triptych detailing Adam and Eve reaching for the forbidden fruit. When the triptych is opened one views scenes from Christ’s childhood on each tiny door with a crowded depiction of the visit of the Magi the central piece of the upper half of the nut. One finds a similarly crowded scene with the Crucifixion on the lower half. “Mary Magdalene grieves at the foot of the cross as the Virgin Mary and Saint John the Evangelist mourn nearby. The Roman centurion Longinus appears on horseback, accompanied by fellow soldiers.” In addition to Judas hanging from a tree the sculpture includes an anonymous traveler and another figure pushing a wheelbarrow, continuing his work (p. 69). The prayer nut fulfills its purpos; it offers the opportunity for prayerful meditation.

    Becherer writes, “Contemporary artists often contemplate and expand upon Christian iconography from across the ages” (121). This twenty-first century sculpture by Jaume Plensa is a stainless-steel hand fashioned with the letters of eight world alphabets. The fingers indicate a hand raised in blessing. Becherer proposes that while the sculpture reflects traditional representations of Christ, “it also unfolds more widely as a message of divine blessing and grace that embraces all humanity” (121), a theme represented in other contemporary figures like Zhang Huan’s “Ash Jesus” and Mark Wallinger’s “Ecce Homo.”

    Hopefully these brief descriptions will tempt the reader to linger with great works of art spanning the centuries, continents, materials, and perspectives. And, hopefully, the works of art along with the descriptions offered in this gorgeous book will inspire conversations to deepen our common humanity.