'Effeminate' Jesus Sparks Furious Backlash

More than 22,000 people have signed a petition protesting against a "homoerotic" and "effeminate" painting of a semi-naked Jesus Christ.

Commissioned to celebrate Easter week in the southwestern Spanish city of Seville, the piece by local artist Salustiano Garcia shows the son of God partially clothed, stood in front of a red background. Since its publication on January 27, conservatives in Spain have denounced the painting commissioned by the Council of Brotherhoods and Guilds.

Right-wing Spanish groups and figures have led the criticism. "It's absolutely shameful and an aberration," the conservative Catholic group ISPE said, describing Garcia's piece as "effeminate" and "camp" and demanding a public apology from him, according to AFP.

Javier Navarro, of the right-wing Vox party, said that division over the painting "is not about artistic tastes; it is about the poster fulfilling the purpose for which it is intended and it is none other than encouraging the devout participation of the faithful in Holy Week in Seville."

A petition has now been signed by more than 22,600 people demanding its removal. The petition organizers say that the artwork is "sacrilegious" and that it trivializes "religious motifs".

Garcia rejected the connotations that some have perceived in the piece. "To see sexuality in my image of Christ, you must be mad," he told ABC, a Spanish national daily newspaper. He added there is nothing in the work that "has not already been represented in artworks dating back hundreds of years."

"If someone sees something dirty in my painting, it is their own impurity that they are projecting onto the image," Garcia said.

Even the mayor of Seville is involved. José Luis Sanz deemed the controversy "artificial," saying that he liked the artwork.

The painting has also caused a stir online outside of Spain. One X, formerly Twitter user, posting under the name Daniel vs Babylon, wrote: "Judgement will come upon Seville for effeminate Jesus."

Another X user was less perturbed by the nature of the artwork. "I don't care what the conservatives say, twinky Jesus is my lord!" wrote X user James Savage.

Jay Kelley posted on X: "Popular depictions of Jesus always looked kinda effeminate to me. And don't get me started on those BDSM crucifixion poses!"

Garcia's work has been described as "Renaissance perfection with mathematical rigor," according to his website. He has exhibited his artworks around the world, including Europe, Asia and the Americas.