Claude Buck - Things That Are Caesar's [1943]

Claude Buck - Things That Are Caesar's [1943], a photo by Gandalf's Gallery on Flickr.

Claude Buck (New York City, 1890 - Santa Barbara, California, 1974) created many images inspired by literature, poetry, and the Bible. This painting is based on a quote from Matthew 22: When a group of spies asked Jesus whether it was lawful to pay taxes, he replied, "Give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." Here, Buck painted objects that evoke war, including a gun, artillery shell, helmet, and knife. He was disgusted by the events of World War II and painted this image to show that conflict and human cruelty are the responsibility of the "Caesars" of the modern world.

[Oil on fibreboard and oil on wood of integral frame, 78.4 x 124.5 cm]