Poster of a "Hot Jesus" Raises Temperatures in Spain

A poster in the southern Spanish city of Seville that depicts a young, handsome Jesus wearing only a loincloth has unleashed a storm on social media, with some calling it an affront to the figure of Christ and others posting lewd remarks and memes poking fun at the image.

The poster by internationally recognized Seville artist Salustiano García Cruz shows a fresh-faced Jesus without a crown of thorns, no suffering on his face and minuscule wounds on the hands and rib cage. It was commissioned and approved by the General Council of Brotherhoods, which organizes the renowned and immensely popular Holy Week processions ahead of Easter in Seville. 

As soon as it was unveiled last week criticism of it went viral on social media and a debate erupted over how a resurrected Christ should be depicted. Many called it a disgrace, inappropriate, too pretty, modernist and out of line with Seville’s Easter tradition.

A catholic group called 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].”

The artist, García, defended the work and dismissed the poster’s critics as old fashioned.  “There is nothing revolutionary in the painting, ” García told Atlas news agency. “There is contemporaneity, but all the elements that I have used are elements that have been used in the last seven centuries in sacred art." In another interview published by El Mundo daily, Garcia responded to criticism from conservative groups that the depiction of Jesus was “effeminate” or “homoerotic.”  “A gay Christ because he looks sweet and is handsome, come on! We are in the 21st century,” García said.  The artist said he used his son, Horacio, as the model for the poster.

The General Council of Brotherhoods has so far ignored calls to replace the poster before Holy Week at the end of March. In past years, some posters for different Catholic celebrations were withdrawn following criticism.  Seville Mayor José Luis Sanz labeled the controversy “artificial.”   “I like the poster,” he said, adding that not all Holy Week posters can be the same each year. “Some posters are riskier, some more classical, some are more daring.”