The popularity of "The Big Lebowski" grows year after year. And that appreciation is not limited to the film: Parties. Festivals. Shops in New York City. But the Los Angeles Times reports artist Joe Forkan has really extended the love by making scenes from the Coen brothers' film the subjects of a group of paintings that he calls "the Lebowski Cycle," works inspired by classical art.

On his website, Forkan has a slideshow of his works, with the classical inspirations also pictured. Needless to say, since classical art drew mostly on the Bible, there is a bit of a parallel between the Dude and Jesus. No, not that Jesus.

Here is how Forkan explained it, regarding the painting at top, via the Times:

The works are on display until Oct. 28 at Orange Coast College's Frank M. Doyle Arts Pavilion. And that's where Forkan is talking tonight about the cycle.