Christian Art: Jon McNaughton

Before I feature the work of Jon McNaughton, I feel like I have to talk about nationalism. I always try to keep politics at bay, but politics are subtle. For instance, I label the work of Jon McNaughton under nationalism, next to Christianity. That is already a statement. I am not sure if many people would consider his work nationalist. I'm not even sure if he himself would consider it that. Patriotic at best perhaps. To me though, these works with American political figures so prominently featured seem explicitly nationalist where it in fact aims to link national myths and symbols with the broader Christian narrative. Moreover, in line with the definition of religion I choose to use for the context of this blog, I'd consider nationalism a form of it. Nationalism on an abstract level as a religious phenomenon is interesting in its own right but American nationalism specifically and the way it is interwoven with religious ideas is especially of interest to me. The work of Jon McNaughton illustrates very well the fusion of nationalism and Christianity, where George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are being portrayed almost as prophets and Christ could be also interpreted as a political founder. I can see ideas of Will Herberg also being illustrated here, where he supposes that respect for the American Way of Life is something that religions in the United States have in common. There is much more to be said about all of this, American nationalism is quite something, but first let us marvel at the works of McNaughton!

 "One Nation Under God"

"Peace Is Coming"

"The Forgotten Man"

"Via Dolorosa"

Website: http://www.mcnaughtonart.com/