DAVOOD'S PAINTING AT THE VATICAN

The official letter from Pope Johannes Paul II (2005) to Davood thanking him for his painting to the Vatican.

 

Delivery of the painting to the Vatican Museum in presence of Cardinal Sudano and Nour Nouri

 

At the centre of the picture is a portrait of Pope John Paul II. A mystic sun can be seen at the top right-hand corner, but it remains unclear whether it is rising or setting. On the left-hand side of the painting an angel presents the kneeling Pope with a book upon which the title of the painting ”I love all People, whatever Colour or Nationality” is inscribed. The Pope at the centre of the painting looks, smiling, towards a scene on the right side.

 

There four people, one white, one yellow, one black and one red, each having the features of Davood Roostaei, take Jesus from the cross. Jesus also has the face of the artist. The robe hanging from the cross and serving to protect the body of the crucified one, has the same colour as the Pope’s soutane. At the lower front of the painting are the two angels from Raffael’s Cistine Madonna, one of which has been given a black skin.