Why the Vatican Is Hiding This Painting From Us

Summary

This video explores the controversial depiction of Jesus with three faces, known as the trifacial Trinity, in Christian art. Originating from biblical texts, this image was created to represent the doctrine of the Trinity. However, the Catholic Church condemned such depictions as heretical, leading to a campaign to burn and erase these paintings, particularly after the Council of Trent in 1563. Despite censorship efforts, some artworks survived, often anonymously, preserved in remote locations. The video raises important questions about the role of the Church in suppressing artistic freedom and the enduring legacy of these suppressed masterpieces.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Catholic Church censored and sought to erase paintings of Jesus depicted with three faces, deeming them heretical and monstrous.
• 😀 The 'Trifacial Trinity' represents the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) as three identical faces on one body, a concept the Church rejected.
• 😀 The idea of depicting God with three faces originated from a passage in the Bible, where Abraham refers to three men as one individual, symbolizing the Trinity.
• 😀 Early Christian art represented the Trinity as geometric shapes, such as a triangle, before evolving into more human-like depictions, eventually reaching the trifacial representation.
• 😀 The image of Jesus with three faces was influenced by earlier traditions, such as the Greek goddess Hecate and Hindu depictions of gods like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.
• 😀 The Catholic Church condemned the trifacial Trinity during the Council of Trent in 1563, ordering the burning of any paintings that depicted this representation.
• 😀 Despite the Church’s efforts, some trifacial Trinity paintings survived, with artists sometimes hiding the side faces under layers of paint or hair to preserve their work.
• 😀 One example of a preserved trifacial Trinity is a painting by Gregorio Vasquez, discovered centuries later after being hidden under a layer of hair.
• 😀 Many artists who created these controversial works chose to remain anonymous, fearing punishment from the Church for defying its doctrines.
• 😀 The video invites viewers to reflect on whether the Church's censorship of art was justified to maintain reverence for Jesus, or whether it suppressed creativity and artistic expression.

Q & A

What was the main reason the Catholic Church ordered paintings depicting the trifacial Trinity to be burned?

The Catholic Church ordered paintings depicting the trifacial Trinity to be burned because they were considered heresies and monstrosities. The Church believed these images were disturbing to the faithful and inappropriate for prayer or veneration.

What is the trifacial Trinity and how does it differ from other depictions of the Holy Trinity in Christian art?

The trifacial Trinity depicts Jesus with three faces on one head, symbolizing the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It differs from other depictions like the geometric triangle or the three angels, which were earlier and more accepted representations of the Trinity.

What biblical passage inspired the depiction of the Trinity as three faces of one body?

The depiction of the Trinity as three faces of one body is inspired by a passage where Abraham refers to three men as one individual in the Oak Grove of Mamre, implying the unity of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as the same entity.

Why was the representation of God with three heads discarded, while the trifacial Trinity gained popularity?

The representation of God with three heads was discarded because it resembled mythological creatures, like those in Dante's *Divine Comedy*, which were seen as bestial. In contrast, the trifacial Trinity, with three faces on one head, was more closely aligned with theological symbolism and gained acceptance.

What influence did ancient cultures have on the depiction of the trifacial Trinity in Christian art?

Ancient cultures influenced the depiction of the trifacial Trinity, particularly Greek and Hindu iconography. For example, the Greek goddess Hecate, depicted with three faces or bodies, and Hindu deities like Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, who are often shown as part of a triad, inspired similar representations in Christian art.

What role did the Council of Trent play in the suppression of the trifacial Trinity in art?

The Council of Trent, in 1563, decided that paintings depicting the trifacial Trinity should be removed and destroyed. This decision was part of a broader effort to censor artworks that did not align with the Church's official doctrine and were considered heretical.

Why did some artists choose to hide or alter their paintings of the trifacial Trinity?

Artists hid or altered their paintings to avoid persecution after the Church's decree. For example, some covered the two side faces of Jesus with hair to conceal the heretical imagery, fearing punishment for creating controversial religious art.

What is the significance of the painting by Gregorio Vasquez that was rediscovered in Colombia?

The painting by Gregorio Vasquez, housed in the Colonial Museum in Bogotá, Colombia, is significant because it initially appeared to depict Jesus in a conventional way. However, during a restoration, it was discovered that the painting originally showed three faces of Jesus, confirming its connection to the trifacial Trinity theme.

Why do many paintings of the trifacial Trinity remain anonymous?

Many paintings of the trifacial Trinity remain anonymous because artists feared persecution or punishment by the Church. The threat of censorship led artists to either erase their signatures or avoid signing their works altogether.

What broader impact did the Church's censorship have on the development of art during this period?

The Church's censorship stifled creativity and artistic freedom by imposing strict religious guidelines on artists. Many artworks were either destroyed, hidden, or altered to comply with Church doctrines, leading to the loss of significant historical and artistic works that may have challenged prevailing beliefs.