Fact Check: Is the painting behind Rahul, Sonia Gandhi of Jesus Christ? Here’s the truth

New Delhi: The selfie shared by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, featuring himself and Sonia Gandhi casting their votes during the sixth phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, circulated on social media.

What is the claim?

Critics of Gandhi seized upon the opportunity to mock his self-identification as a ‘janeudhari Brahmin’ (thread-wearing Brahmin), juxtaposing it with claims that he displayed a photograph of Jesus Christ in his room while lacking any depictions of Hindu deities.

What is the truth and how was it discovered?

The painting in question is titled ‘Madonna Oriflamma’ by Russian painter Nicholas Roerich. In the artwork, the lady depicted is holding a banner of peace. How was the truth found? The discovery stemmed from observing the photo in the background, where a person was seen holding a banner featuring three red dots encircled by red.

After conducting a search using the description “person holding red circle with three dots painting,” a 2017 blog post featuring the same image was found. This post identified the image as a 1932 painting titled ‘Madonna Oriflamma’ by Nikolai Roerich. It explained that the geometrical art was Roerich’s creation, known as the ‘Banner of Peace,’ and delved into the symbolism behind it.

Further research leads to more details

Further research led to various websites that featured the painting, including its WikiArt page last updated in 2013, which indicated its display at the Nicholas Roerich Museum in New York. The museum’s Facebook page also shared the painting in 2021, discussing its meaning and symbolism.

Conclusion

Additionally, Roerich’s website provided details about the painting’s medium, dimensions, and loan status to the museum since 1960. Reproduced and printed versions of the painting were readily available for purchase online, confirming that the artwork seen in Rahul and Sonia Gandhi’s photo was not of Jesus Christ.