For centuries, depictions of Jesus have dominated Western art, portraying him as a towering figure with fair features. However, historians argue that Jesus likely resembled the locals of ancient Palestine: shorter, stockier, with dark curly hair.
Bas Uterwijk, using advanced AI, created a striking portrayal of Jesus. He melded various cultural depictions, adjusting features for historical accuracy. Uterwijk explained his process, stating, “I used several cultural depictions… tweaking the ethnicity to a more convincing Middle-Eastern face.”
Joan Taylor, a prominent researcher, emphasizes Jesus’s likely appearance: dark olive skin, short black hair, and a beard. She noted, “Jesus was not a European… He was very much of his time and place.”
Historical evidence suggests Jesus led a humble life, reflecting his appearance. Taylor remarked, “He was a wanderer… He looked like a beggar.”
Through Uterwijk’s AI-generated image and historical insights, we glimpse a more authentic portrayal of Jesus, challenging centuries-old perceptions.
