Amongst the most respected moral voices in the modern world was that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Today we celebrate the federal holiday honoring this American hero. Like so many historic icons of moral leadership, Dr. King's "message" has been boiled-down over time—pruned and streamlined—which deprives us of the complexity (and completeness) of his teachings. Most Americans are familiar with King's uplifting orations against racism and bigotry. But King also spoke frankly about economic justice and made searing indictments against the Vietnam War. That he viewed earthly justice through the lens of divine justice makes his message even more compelling to some people.
Today, we have other American religious leaders—specifically Pope Leo and certain brave cardinals—who are weaving-together a message of earthly justice in light of Christ's teachings. It is important that religious leaders call-out immoral leadership when they see it—especially its devastating effects of the most vulnerable amongst us. This is in-keeping with Dr. King's approach some six decades ago.
I am so very impressed by this 2008 portrait of Martin Luther King sketched by Chinese artist Mei He. Born in China, she was trained in Sichuan after which she attended the Savannah College of Art and Design. In a world where hand-sketching often is neglected (even dismissed in today's Western art schools), Mei He reminds us that great draughtsmanship is the foundation of great art. She sketches with ease, conviction and spontaneity. Her beautiful rendering of proportion is matched by her skilled conveyance of the man's personality—his character and energy. One can nearly read his mind. Though the picture was drawn 40 years after King's murder, at first glance, I thought that it had been sketched by John Singer Sargent (who died four years before King was even born). Brava, Mei He. And thank you for keeping-alive the dying art of beautiful sketching.
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