Questions tagged [art]

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Which denominations dislike pictures of people?

I remember this sect from the news, but I forgot the term. Does anyone know what I mean? Aniconism isn't the answer (because I know this noun already) but also because this faction allows their ...
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2 votes
1 answer
55 views

Was there a transformation in the artistic depiction of the Crucifixion after the 12th century?

I am reading Ivan Illich's 1987 essay "Hospitality and Pain" (freely available to consult here) which concerns the Western conception of pain and the body. Illich claims, on page 13, that, ...
glhrmv's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
639 views

Is there a deeper meaning for the depiction of Jesus' head tilted towards his right on the Crucifix?

We read in Jn 19:30 (KJKV): When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost. Lealani Acosta and her colleagues scoured the ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
1k views

On Images of God the Father According to Catholicism?

No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him. (John 1:18) QUESTION: Is there anything in Catholic doctrine which prohibits or ...
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4 votes
0 answers
96 views

Looking For a Specific Illustrated Children's Bible

I'm looking for a very specific illustrated children's Bible that I cannot remember the name of. It has very stylized illustrations (non-realistic bodies, skin colors, etc). I remember this ...
Paul Omans's user avatar
1 vote
0 answers
174 views

Did the early church allow statues and images in church?

Protestants are against having statues and images and often quote Exodus 20:4, but Catholics and Orthodox Christians have beautiful statues and images in their church, but did the Early Church Fathers ...
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3 votes
1 answer
116 views

Which denominations have official flags?

Which denominations have official flags? Catholics have the papal flag of Vatican City The flag of Vatican City was adopted on 7 June 1929, the year Pope Pius XI signed the Lateran Treaty with Italy, ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
261 views

What was the ante-Nicene Fathers' view on image veneration?

What was the ante-Nicene Fathers' view on image veneration and its use inside churches?
Wenura's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
203 views

Is Judas Iscariot ever depicted in religious art with one of those silver or gold coloured Halos?

Is Judas Iscariot ever depicted in Religious art with one of those cool silver or gold coloured Halos? A halo also known as a nimbus, aureole, glory, or gloriole is a crown of light rays, circle or ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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1 vote
2 answers
1k views

Is there a written tradition that would explain why John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate?

John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate (e.g. long hair, clean shaven, gentle face), as illustrated below. This is especially apparent when compared with other males in the same ...
Ray Butterworth's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
64 views

Is this statuette supposed to be St. Nicholas of Myra, or Father Christmas, or somebody else?

In the lobby of a residential building during the Christmas Season last year, I encountered the white-bearded sculpture pictured below, about half the height of an average son of Adam. This piece of ...
Adinkra's user avatar
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5 votes
2 answers
109 views

Can a novel interpretation of John 15 be supported by art in church history?

David Thurman in his book, "From Vines to Wines in Classical Rome" writes about a very common first century practice (testified by Pliny and Columella) of establishing vineyards with a post ...
Jess's user avatar
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0 votes
1 answer
152 views

Are there any sects that prohibit the use of images in general?

Are there any Christian sects that prohibit the use of images in general (even for art/entertainment)?
Ben Pettis's user avatar
-2 votes
2 answers
348 views

Is the Marvel Cinematic Universe an expression of "The Modern Attack"?

When Hilaire Belloc wrote The Great Heresies there wasn't a great name for the modern materialist dogmatic theology, he referred to the culmination of enlightenment ideas that constitute the current ...
Peter Turner's user avatar
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1 vote
1 answer
128 views

Who were the recepients of Christian monumental sculptures in the early middle ages (10th and 11th century)?

I am in the process of writing a paper about the bronze column commissioned by Bernwardus Hildesheimiensis, the bishop founder of Benedictine Monastery of St. Michael in Hildesheim, completed ...
Michele's user avatar
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-3 votes
1 answer
113 views

Why does Infant Jesus wear a big crown in pictures? [closed]

In many images of Infant Jesus, (for example Infant Jesus of Prague,) he is shown as wearing a huge crown which looks larger-than-life in size. Is there any historical reason for the same? What does ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there a Christian equivalent of Mandala (word or symbol)?

During a recent visit to Canterbury Cathedral particular circular patterns on the floors (pictured) reminded me of the circular patterns of Mandalas. I was wondering if these are simply 'for ...
Samuel Barnes's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
176 views

Chimera Image on my leather jacket?

I have a leather jacket that just picked up from a girl who was selling it and I didn’t notice that it had a Chimera on its back. Truthfully, the image disturbs me a bit. I don’t want to curse my ...
Jessica's user avatar
  • 21
-1 votes
2 answers
328 views

The White Crucifixion and Pope Francis?

Some of us are aware that painting of the White Crucifixion by Marc Chagall is well liked by our present Sovereign Pontiff, Pope Francis. White Crucifixion Although it seems to deviate from the ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
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5 votes
4 answers
414 views

Is there any biblical basis for the Church to depict Jesus as a European or some other ethnic race?

The reason I ask is that the Most Rev Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury (Anglican Church of England) was recently interviewed on BBC Radio 4’s ‘Today’ programme and said that in the wake of Black ...
Lesley's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
334 views

Do any denominations use the full form of INRI?

At John 19:19-20 we read: Pilate also had an inscription written and put on the cross. It read, “Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.” Many of the Jews read this inscription, because the place ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
6 votes
1 answer
508 views

What is the meaning of the stained glass above the altar at Votivkirche in Wien with the Portuguese Quinas on it?

I would like to know more information on a glass painting I found in the church Votivkirche in Wien (Vienna, Austria). Above the person with the shield there is the symbol of the Portuguese Quinas. ...
Dryadwoods's user avatar
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

Does R.C. Sproul elaborate on his position regarding images of Christ?

In discussions of theologians who take the continental Reformed view of the 2nd commandment (as opposed to the Westminster / Puritan view), people often point out this brief quote by R.C. Sproul: ...
Caleb's user avatar
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-2 votes
3 answers
4k views

What are the origins of the Our Lady of Grace statues?

What is the original Our Lady of Grace statue? Is it associated with a particular Marian apparition? There are many coloration variations in these statues, so I show this monochrome garden statue as ...
Geremia's user avatar
  • 38.4k
-1 votes
3 answers
98 views

What is happening and written in this illustration/artwork?

On this illustration an angel/cherub, two men, some dogs and some sheep. It is very hard to read what the tekst on what the angel/cherub is carrying. The tekst says Gloria but the other two words I ...
Tom Sol's user avatar
  • 315
0 votes
2 answers
116 views

Can someone tell more about this artwork of Jesus Christ?

Another piece in the belongings of my late grandmother may she rest in peace. This is a part of 7 pieces in total. I am really intrigued by the artwork itself. Is it possible for someone to ...
Tom Sol's user avatar
  • 315
1 vote
2 answers
142 views

What is depicted on this piece of artwork?

Another piece in the belongings of my late grandmother may she rest in peace. This particular piece is a very beautiful piece in my opinion. This is a part of 7 pieces in total. I am really ...
Tom Sol's user avatar
  • 315
2 votes
3 answers
156 views

What is depicted on this small piece of artwork with Mary and the Apostles?

Another piece in the belongings of my late grandmother may she rest in peace. This particular piece is a very beautiful piece in my opinion. This is a part of 7 pieces in total. Can anyone tell me ...
Tom Sol's user avatar
  • 315
6 votes
2 answers
721 views

How are the bread and wine explained by those who forbid images of Jesus?

This question is directed at those who subscribe to the Westminster Standards, particularly Westminster Larger Catechism 109, which reads: The sins forbidden in the second commandment are [...] the ...
Nathaniel is protesting's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
242 views

Questions about this icon of Saint Sophia

Below is an icon of Saint Sophia and her three daughters (Faith, Hope, and Charity). It's so cute! I hope someone who is knowledgeable about iconography can answer a couple questions I have about it. ...
Pascal's Wager's user avatar
5 votes
2 answers
979 views

What is the meaning behind this coin of Pope St. John Paul II?

I have in my possession a big coin in a nice box with the papal heraldry of Pope St. John Paul II. I am very curious Where this coin came from and why this coin exists. I have found many ...
Tom Sol's user avatar
  • 315
7 votes
0 answers
165 views

Finding a mural of an unknown cathedral?

I am looking for the name of the cathedral that contains the following mural. What I know for sure is: That it has been done between 2004 and 2008, more likely in 2008. It was made in a Catholic ...
stx932's user avatar
  • 129
4 votes
1 answer
381 views

Besides St. Casimir, are any other saints portrayed with three hands in iconography?

Other than the icon of St. Casimir in Vilnius (below), are there other examples of saints with three hands? Does a third hand make up part of the iconography of St. John the Evangelist? Image by ...
Thomas E. Gullickson's user avatar
12 votes
1 answer
463 views

Trying to find information on a crucifix found whilst metal detecting

I am trying to find the age of a silver cross that I have found on a site that had a benedictine priory on it from 1149 to 1540. I believe that clues to its age are the use of a two bar Patriarchal ...
Kevin Johnstone's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
460 views

Who started the Judensau image?

I found about Judensau sculpture when I want to know deeper about Martin Luther. Below is a little bit information about Judensau I read from Wikipedia: A Judensau (German for "Jews' sow" is a folk ...
karma's user avatar
  • 2,366
6 votes
2 answers
2k views

Why is Christ often shown with long hair in Christian iconography?

A friend of mine is Catholic and she has an icon or picture of Christ. It shows him with long, dark brown hair. Is there anything in the New Testament that justifies this representation? It seems to ...
Mozibur Ullah's user avatar
0 votes
1 answer
274 views

Does any one know about this painting? [closed]

Can some one let me know about the picture?
Sherin's user avatar
  • 27
5 votes
1 answer
1k views

What was Saint Thomas Aquinas's girding by the two angels?

Diego Velázquez's Temptation of St. Thomas shows him being girded by angels with a belt of purity: What is the event behind this painting?
Gabriel Fair's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
854 views

Paintings of the Holy Family with a young St. Joseph?

Most paintings seem to portray St. Joseph as an old man and his wife St. Mary as much younger. Abp. Fulton Sheen—arguing in "The World's Happiest Marriage" that "Joseph was probably a young man, ...
Geremia's user avatar
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11 votes
3 answers
4k views

What's the significance of this image for Jehovah's Witnesses?

I was browsing through the friends of one of my Facebook friends. One of them is, I am guessing, a Jehovah's Witness because some of their posts have Jehovah's Witness-related entries such as photos ...
user avatar
9 votes
2 answers
489 views

Prior to 1900 were there any depictions of Satan in Christian art as a woman/female?

Are there any Christian symbolic depictions Satan in art as a woman? In Christian art, Satan has often been depicted as a man (male) or some evil looking monster out of man's imagination of what the ...
Ken Graham's user avatar
  • 67.6k
2 votes
0 answers
270 views

Old Portrayal of St Michael the Archangel [closed]

I am searching for a painting of the Archangel Michael, but with the old portrayal. In every painting I have found he is depicted with a sword, literally fighting the bad and everything dark. As far ...
Florian W.'s user avatar
12 votes
6 answers
9k views

Why do images of saints often depict them with unusual hand gestures?

Many saints are often depicted holding a book or some other object. However, I have noticed that there are quite a few that have unusual hand gestures. Why is this? Augustine of Hippo Index finger, ...
Thunderforge's user avatar
  • 6,337
1 vote
0 answers
42 views

Where in the Bible does it say angels sing? [duplicate]

I was recently told that man is the only one of God's creations that can sing. I thought angels also sang, but I don't know where the Bible says that. Where in the Bible does it say that angels sing?
bro mac's user avatar
  • 11
-1 votes
1 answer
335 views

What is the source of the image of angels in light and wings? (Roman Catholic perspective)

The teaching, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Hebrews 1:14) is common. And there are many stories all over the Bible of "men" who are angels ...
Aigle's user avatar
  • 802
16 votes
1 answer
2k views

Why did John Newton oppose Handel's Messiah?

Recently, while listening to a lecture on worship by Kevin Twit, I was surprised to hear John Newton's opinion on Handel's Messiah: John Newton, the author of "Amazing Grace," refused to let Handel'...
Nathaniel is protesting's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
167 views

In Catholic art imagery, how is hell symbolized?

In Catholic art and imagery how is hell symbolized? If a symbol does exist for it, why was this particular symbol chosen? In other words, does hell have a symbol?
Ken Graham's user avatar
  • 67.6k
7 votes
3 answers
7k views

What is/are the Hebrew/Aramaic word(s) for "devil" in The Passion of the Christ movie?

What is the word used for "devil" in Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ" during the scene where Christ is interrogated by the Sanhedrin? The word "devil" appears in the English subtitles ...
Greg Mattes's user avatar
11 votes
2 answers
5k views

How did the four living creatures become associated with the Gospel writers?

The visions of Ezekiel recorded in Ezekiel 1 and that of John in Revelation 4:7 include four living creatures (ζῷα) that stand in the presence of the throne of God. In both visions these heavenly ...
Andrew's user avatar
  • 8,051
6 votes
1 answer
277 views

What does Pentecostalism consider Prophetic Fine Art to be?

In many Pentecostal churches, they talk about prophetic art - pictures/paintings with prophetic value. And of course, the Catholic Church is full of art, but do they consider their churches art ...
DreamLight's user avatar