Triumph of Which Religion?

The Boston Globe takes a look at John Singer Sargent’s famous series of murals for Boston Public Library entitled “Triumph of Religion”. The series of murals were inspired by the philosopher Ernest Renan who believed that religion was a process of evolution from paganism to Christianity (a view also shared by C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein). The mural scenes attempt to show a progression from the pagan gods, to the Hebrew prophets, and finally to the Christian church.

Detail of Astarte from the mural series.

While the first few murals were quite popular, Sargent encountered a firestorm of controversy over his depiction of “Synagogue”. This was due to his ignorant use of anti-Semitic symbology.

“…the content of “Synagogue” was unequivocal. The painting was a reworking of anti-Semitic symbols of the Middle Ages that had become esoteric by Sargent’s time. During the Middle Ages, Jews often were represented as blindfolded figures-not unable to see the “light,” just unwilling. Sargent’s figure of Synagoga is shown blindfolded, her crown fallen, dethroned in her crumbling temple.” – Scott-Martin Kosofsky

Sargent, unable to deal with public debate over his art never finished the last commissioned mural “Sermon on the Mount”. While the painting of “Synagogue” still hangs in the library it was only after a tumultuous period of debate, attempted defacement, and laws passed to remove the painting. It is now used as a discussion piece by the library, in hopes that talking about the viewpoints and controversy behind the paintings will breed more religious tolerance.

The root of controversies like this are due to the Christian heritage of triumphalism, a view that was rarely challenged in America during Sargent’s era. Many kind and good people thought that Christian thought was the end-point in a long history of religious and philosophic evolution. While the controversy at the time centered on the inherent anti-Semitism of the triumphal creed, his paintings also send the message that any non-Christian religious orientation will be considered as second-class or degenerate citizens in any Christian-ruled society. While it is hard to imagine a piece so blindly pro-Christian being hung in public libraries today, we must not forget that the attitude and aspiration for a benevolent Christian rule still exists and not only in isolated pockets on the lunatic fringe, but in places very close to those who run our country.

Tags: Neopaganism