Religious imagery is one of the most popular genres in art history. As a result, the Christian faith has remained a fascinating subject for several artists throughout the millennia. All of whom have invested time and effort into leaving us a treasure trove of iconic Christian paintings.
With the Bible being central to the Christian belief system, it comes as no surprise that it serves as the primary source material for Christian art. For many centuries, the sacred text has inspired artists like Da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael, to name a few.
The iconography of a painting, i.e., its imagery and symbolic language, can convey the depth of any artist’s intent and even the inspiration behind the work of art itself. This article will explore the meanings behind some of the most famous biblical paintings.
Christ in the Storm of the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt Van Rijn
Rembrandt is one of the most iconic painters in art history and the greatest of the Dutch golden age. Christianity is a central theme in Rembrandt’s artistry as he often borrowed scenes from the Bible. One of such scenes is his depiction of Christ calming the storm as reported in the biblical gospels.
The 1963 oil-on-canvas painting is a seascape, notably the artist’s only seascape painting. It depicts Jesus’s disciples struggling to regain control of their boat, almost overpowered by violent waves. Each character is painted in a panicky state except Jesus, who remains unbothered. Christ would later calm the storm, saving his disciples and leaving them in awe.
Interestingly, Rembrandt has included a self-portrait disguised as one of the disciples. Sadly, the current location of the painting is unknown as it was stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990. The event is considered the biggest heist in US art history.
The Last Supper by Leonardo da Vinci
Leonardo Da Vinci was a well-known Italian polymath whose knowledge and expertise branched into the arts. Today, his name is almost synonymous with art as he is probably the most celebrated artist in art history. He was regarded as a genius, a true epitome of the Renaissance ideal.
One of his many famous works is this late 1400s painting done on the wall of a convent in Italy. The work, one of the world’s most famous biblical paintings, depicts Jesus and his disciples having their final supper together shortly before he is arrested.
The scene is according to the 13th chapter of John, where Jesus admonishes his disciples and foretells his imminent betrayal. The story is also the origin of the Christian tradition of breaking bread and drinking wine, known as Holy Communion. It is currently housed at the Convent of Santa Maria Delle Grazie, Milan, Italy.
Song of the Angels by William Adolphe Bouguereau
Bouguereau was a French Academic painter renowned for his mythological and famous religious paintings focused on the female form. His career enjoyed significant success, spreading his fame internationally to the US. He was also highly decorated for several of his high-profile paintings.
The 1881 oil-on-canvas painting is also known as The Virgin with Angels. The gorgeous painting is rendered in Academician style depicting three celestial beings with musical instruments serenading the infant Christ to sleep in the arms of his mother, Mary.
The angels are all robed in white, matching their wings. The young and graceful Mary is dressed in a flowing blue garment with a white veil, while the baby Jesus is depicted nude in her arms. The life-size painting currently resides at the Forest Lawn Museum, California, USA.
Creation of Adam by Michelangelo Buonarroti
Michelangelo was a prolific painter and sculptor of the Italian High Renaissance. He is famous for works like the David sculpture and the Sistine Chapel Frescoes, of which the Creation of Adam is one.
Created circa 1508 – 1512, this mural is probably one of the most famous Christian paintings in the art world. However, the painting takes it far back to the beginning by depicting the origin story of humanity as described in Genesis, the first book of the Bible.
God is illustrated as an elderly man in a white cloak while Adam, the first man according to the Bible, is a young and painted nude. The God figure stretches out his right hand towards Adam’s left hand. Their fingers almost touch, insinuating that God is about to impart life from himself to Adam. This echoes Genesis 1:27, which reads, “God created man in His image, in the image of God He created him.”
A Soul Brought to Heaven by William Adolphe Bouguereau
This is Bouguereau’s second painting on our list, a pleasing composition demonstrating the artist’s mastery. The painting was inspired by the passing of the artist’s wife and young son. A grief-stricken Bouguereau transferred some of his grief into this masterpiece.
The painting was created in 1878, a year after Bouguereau experienced loss. It depicts two angels carrying a dead woman, possibly his wife, into the afterlife while the outline of a third angel is visible in the background. A bouquet painted on the bottom left corner is falling back to earth. It has probably fallen from the woman’s limp hands and may have been buried with her body back on earth.
The painting is primarily dark, with heavy clouds as the main background. The only glimpse of light comes from the top right corner, where the silhouette of the third Angel stands. The painting is currently housed at the Musee du Perigord, France.
Takeaways?
Every created thing has an origin story that explains the occurrences that led to its creation, and the purpose hoped to be achieved by its existence, and art is no different. Every image is a culmination of artistic efforts that began with the spark of an idea. There is a creative process that gives meaning to each medieval and Renaissance Christian painting that exists today.
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