John, Thomas, and Judas from Apostles, by Michel Östlund

Swedish artist Michel Östlund created abstract portraits of each of the apostles in large (up to six-by-four-foot) oil paintings. Using one dominant color in each portrait, Östlund attempted to convey a single character trait. He focused on “faith strengthened by doubt” in Thomas, “love” in John, “the seed” in Judas, and “wisdom of the madman” in Paul (the 13th apostle). As Östlund wrote, “What fascinates me is that their message—2,000 years later—is still alive as the basis for many of our values.”