Jesus Christ: Life and Teachings
It is no surprise that Jesus Christ is a major theme in Oertel's art. These five paintings portray different teachings or aspects of Christ that are presented in the Gospels.
For The Good Shepherd, the subject is probably the shepherd presented in Luke 15:1-7. In this passage, Jesus tells about a shepherd who loses one of his one hundred sheep. The shepherd then leaves the other sheep and goes to find this lost sheep. He rejoices when he finds it. The story is meant to exemplify the way in which God rejoices when even one sinner repents.
In The King of Truth, Jesus Christ is seated and wears a crown of thorns. With the signature, Oertel refers to John 18:37. In this verse, part of John's account of Jesus's trial before Pilate, Pilate asks, "So are you a king?" Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. For this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice" (NRSV).
Founded Upon a Rock is painting of what appears to be a Gothic cathedral built on rocks in the middle of the ocean. The parable of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7:24-27 is probably the inspiration for this work. In this passage, Jesus promises that those who obey his words will be like the person who built his house on the solid foundation of rock. In contrast to the house built on sand, this house survived great storms.
Man Rowing Out on Sea of Life with Christ as Pilot is a painting depicting a man rowing in a boat alone except for Jesus Christ, who appears in dazzling white. The stormy waters apparently represent the challenges of human life.
Finally, Mary Magdalene at the Cross is a painting of Mary Magdalene, one of Jesus's closest female disciples. She clings to the cross following the crucifixion.