This crucifix in a church in Colmar (Kolmar) is perhaps the one spoken of by a friend I made at the Brisbane exhibition of the American Impressionist and Realist painters. A conversation began because we were both taking notes ... for the same reason .... memory failure ... hopefully the notes would jog the failing facility. He had been a committed footballer and a Vietnam vet, but could not talk about Vietnam. I asked him how art had impacted on his life and what it meant to him in addressing Vietnam. "Hard to say" he said but he then spoke of many visits to European galleries and his enjoyment of investigating information about the artists. Art had become a form of healing for him. Then he spoke of THE highlight for him. "Go to Basle then catch a train to Colmar." There you will see the most amazing picture ( I did not pick up whether it was painting or crucifix) True suffering, even the cross beam was bent. More than just physical suffering.
He doesn't attend church now .. too many questions relating to suffering and evil in mankind. I encouraged him to remember this picture / image. For in Christ's suffering is the clue to all other suffering and all loss.
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