The Catholic Church’s portrayal of Jesus as a white, European-looking figure with blue eyes has been challenged by scholars who believe he looked quite different. They suggest that Jesus, born in Palestine, likely had a shorter stature, a muscular build, and coiling black hair.

Dutch photographer and digital artist Bas Uterwijk used advanced technology to create an image of Jesus that aligns with the historical context of his birthplace. He employed machine-learning techniques from Artbreeder to refine the image, drawing inspiration from Middle Eastern depictions rooted in Byzantine and Renaissance traditions.

The resulting image challenges the conventional perception of Jesus, striving for authenticity by adjusting hair and beard styles to reflect the era and region. While not a scientifically precise representation, it offers an aesthetic impression of what Jesus may have looked like.

Historical documents suggest that people in Judea and Egypt had olive-toned complexions, black hair, and brown eyes, which contrasts with the commonly portrayed European appearance of Jesus.

The iconic features associated with Jesus, such as flowing hair, robes, and beards, originated in the 4th or 5th centuries and differ significantly from his likely historical appearance.