Altar - still life by Colin McCahon | The Chartwell Project

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Altar - still life

Altar - still life

Artist

Colin McCahon
Production Date

1967
Medium

ink on paper
Size

560 x 760 mm
Credit

Chartwell Collection, Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki, 1988
Accession Number

C1994/1/244
Accession Date

Mar 1988
Department

New Zealand Art
Classification

Drawing
Collection

Chartwell
Subjects

hearts, altars, Christianity, religious art, religious symbolism, symbols, faith
Description

By painting the letters IHS, an abbreviation of Ihesus (Jesus in Greek), onto the surface of this altar McCahon further emphasises Christ’s sacrifice which is commemorated in Holy Communion. As an integral part of Christian worship, the altar is the focal point of most churches. (McCahon's Visible Mysteries, 2004)