Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies

Updated: 22 Aug 2019

Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies

Artist, Ronald Harrison caused controversy in 1962 when he painted African National Congress (ANC) leader, Albert Luthuli as Jesus. The painting, named Black Christ, depicts Luthuli crucified on the cross next to apartheid mastermind Hendrick Verwoed and former Minister of Justice John Vorster, who are depicted as Roman Soldiers. The painting not only challenged the apartheid system, but also the notion that Jesus was white. Harrison was arrested and the painting banned. The painting was smuggled to the United Kingdom and was only returned in 1997. Harrison died of cancer on 28 June 2011, just before he was to exhibit his latest work. Black Christ remains his most famous work. The painting is now housed at the South African National Gallery.

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South African History Online. (2019, August 22). Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0149063

South African History Online (2019) 'Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies', South African History Online, 22 August. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0149063 (Accessed: 24 September 2026).

South African History Online, Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0149063, (accessed 24 September 2026).

"Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies." South African History Online, 22 Aug. 2019, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0149063. Accessed 24 Sept. 2026.

South African History Online. "Controversial 'Black Jesus' painter, Ronald Harrison, dies." South African History Online. August 22, 2019. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0149063.