Book Review: Rowena Loverance’s “Christian Art”
October 17th, 2007 by Menachem Wecker
My review of Rowena Loverance’s “Christian Art” (Harvard UP, 2007) appears in Relevant Magazine. Although Loverance initially responded to my interview request saying she’d be happy to answer my questions, she did not reply to them, even after several follow ups. Here are the questions I posed just for the sake of completeness:
1. You mention in the introduction that the book isn’t an art history book, but a how-to one. What is the difference between writing a history book and a how-to one? Are you only writing for readers who want to deepen their divine encounter? Can an artist who is Christian
create work that is not Christian? What was your inspiration for this book model?2. How, if at all, does being a Quaker affect the way you view art? You cite several examples of Quaker artists. Do you think this aspect of art history is not sufficiently explored in other art history texts?
3. Is your research and use of images solely drawn from the British Museum collection? If so, was that a cost issue? Are there limitations to restricting yourself like that?
4. You mention in the book that you employ non-Christian artists like Chagall, whose work is relevant to Christianity. How can someone like Chagall, who is arguably using the Crucifixion as a symbol of anti-Semitism, be relevant to this discussion?
5. Do you think viewers must understand Christianity to understand Christian art, or is there something to be said for inspecting the painting in its own right without bringing in any external texts or symbolism?
6. Christianity has departed from Judaism and Islam in its interpretation of the Second Commandment. Is there some notion of idolatry with which Christian artists must grapple?
7. In the book, you combine older works and newer works. Do you think viewers should engage contemporary works and ancient ones in the same way? What are your thoughts on the recent chocolate sculpture of Jesus that brought so much controversy?
8. How can you be sure that Christian art can lead to better understanding Christianity’s messages, rather than the alternative? Do you see art commentators like Sister Wendy as contributing to the same sort of project as you are pursuing?