For centuries, Western art has depicted Jesus Christ as a tall figure with fair skin and flowing hair. However, historical evidence suggests that Jesus likely resembled the typical inhabitants of ancient Palestine: shorter in stature, with darker skin, dark curly hair, and a stocky build. This perspective aligns with the findings of scholars like Joan Taylor, who, in her 2018 book “What Did Jesus Look Like?”, concluded that Jesus most likely had brown eyes, dark brown to black hair, and olive-brown skin.
In a modern effort to visualize this historical perspective, Dutch photographer and digital artist Bas Uterwijk utilized artificial intelligence to create a more historically accurate image of Jesus. Employing the software ArtBreeder, which generates photorealistic images by blending multiple sources, Uterwijk combined various cultural depictions and adjusted features to reflect a Middle Eastern appearance. He explained his approach, stating, “I used several cultural depictions… tweaking the ethnicity to a more convincing Middle-Eastern face.”
Uterwijk’s AI-generated image portrays Jesus with features characteristic of a Middle Eastern man of that era, challenging the traditional Western representations. This rendition has sparked discussions about the intersection of technology, art, and historical accuracy. By leveraging AI, Uterwijk offers a fresh perspective on a figure whose appearance has been the subject of speculation and artistic interpretation for centuries.
This innovative approach not only provides a visual representation that aligns more closely with historical and archaeological evidence but also invites viewers to reconsider long-held perceptions shaped by centuries of artistic convention. As technology continues to evolve, such projects highlight its potential to deepen our understanding of history and the figures who have shaped it.