ST. LUKE 5 – 20 AND WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH. HE SAID UNTO HIM. MAN THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE.

Howard Finster, ST. LUKE 5-20 AND WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH. HE SAID UNTO HIM. MAN THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE., 1975, enamel on metal, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.17
Copied Howard Finster, ST. LUKE 5-20 AND WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH. HE SAID UNTO HIM. MAN THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE., 1975, enamel on metal, 20 x 24 x 1 3⁄8 in. (50.9 x 61.1 x 3.5 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.17

Artwork Details

Title
ST. LUKE 5 – 20 AND WHEN HE SAW THEIR FAITH. HE SAID UNTO HIM. MAN THY SINS ARE FORGIVEN THEE.
Artist
Date
1975
Location
Dimensions
20 x 24 x 1 3⁄8 in. (50.9 x 61.1 x 3.5 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
Mediums
Mediums Description
enamel on metal
Classifications
Subjects
  • Religion — Christianity
  • Allegory — religion — salvation
  • Object — written matter
Object Number
1997.124.17
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1997.124.17

Artwork Description

Howard Finster frequently incorporated found objects into his artworks. This piece is one such example. Using red enamel paint and bold lettering, the artist transcribed a verse from the Gospel of St. Luke on the lid of an old oven. The verse is taken from a story in the New Testament in which a paralyzed man was lowered by his friends through the roof of a house so that he could get close to Jesus. Moved by the faith of these men, Jesus cured the man of his paralysis. A reverend from Alabama, Finster believed he could spread his message to more people through his art than he could through his sermons.