Paint or sinner? Jesus turns Big Issue vendor in street artist return

Two weeks ago, The Big Issue got the royal seal approval when the Queen adopted the iconic red tabard – now we’ve got a new convert to the cause in Jesus Christ.

Eagle-eyed reader Zubeda Limbada spotted the mysterious grey-overall-wearing street artist behind the work – believed to be known as Loretto – putting the finishing touches to the saintly portrait in Clerkwell, London on Thursday.

Spotted in #London ????????Jesus as the @BigIssue seller #art#reality#Homelesspic.twitter.com/kCRhHU8hjQ

— Zubeda Limbada FRSA (@ZubedaCFutures) February 15, 2018

The divine design, located just over a mile down the road from the painting of Her Majesty and Street Cat Bob in Fitzrovia, depicts the son of God sporting a heavenly halo and (we hope) a valid vendor badge. Hopefully he won’t need a miracle to shift a copy or two.

Loretto has been prolific across the English capital – with portrayals of Theresa May having a ‘Marilyn Monroe’ moment and Jeremy Corbyn as St Francis of Assisi with EU stars for a crown of thorns joining the Queen on the cafe.

Unsurprisingly, Loretto has also targeted Donald Trump with the US President depicted in the middle of the March of Progress illustration as well as revealing a concealed swastika in a portrait elsewhere in London.

This is not the first time the mysterious graffiti artist has set their sights on the Queen – she’s previously been painted by the street artist showing thigh-high stockings and smoking a cigarette as well as hitching up her dress to reveal a red anarchy sign tattoo on a Camden café.