Entry into Jerusalem 

Wilhelm Kotarbinski painted this “Entry into Jerusalem,” a mural, in the late 19th or early 20th century. It depicts the Christian messiah, Jesus of Nazareth, entering Jerusalem on a donkey. Kotarbinski was a Polish artist who spent much of his career in Kyiv, during a period when Poland was divided and ruled by foreign powers. The mural presents Jesus as a triumphant, almost regal figure, surrounded by adoring followers, an image that resonates with the Polish yearning for national liberation and spiritual leadership. The painting is an appeal to shared cultural and religious values. The image of the messiah entering Jerusalem may have served as a subtle commentary on the contemporary socio-political landscape, holding out the hope of future redemption. Historical and theological resources on the political uses of biblical imagery are essential to understanding this and similar works of art. As we study art, we learn about the societies that produced it and about the institutions that shape culture and identity.