Jesus is a central figure in recent Hispanic culture, images of him are everywhere, some beautiful and evocative, others grim and mournful. I am not conventionally religious, but I an admirer of Jesus and always eager to see portrays of him, even though he is seen in countless ways. At the Museum of Folk Art, there are hundreds of images of Jesus from all over the world, and I was drawn to this portrait of him, looking sad and mournful, perhaps because so many people evoke his name without understanding his message.

I don’t think of him as a joyous man, but as a sad and thoughtful and strong man. I don’t think he is crying for himself here, but at the suffering of the poor and the exploitation of the vulnerable. Everyone has their own idea.