19
votes
Accepted
Why did John Newton oppose Handel's Messiah?
Newton did indeed have issues with Handel's Messiah, so much so that in 1784–85 he gave a series of 50 sermons at his own church (St. Mary Woolnoth) in response to the oratorio being played at ...
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17
votes
Accepted
Why do some Christians object to images of Jesus?
Those who argue against images of Jesus do so primarily in two ways: (1) that any image of Christ is necessarily inadequate and false and (2) that images of Christ inspire worship and devalue the Word ...
- 42.3k
11
votes
How did the four living creatures become associated with the Gospel writers?
This connection was made by fathers as early as Irenaeus (d. 202). Here's a table showing the views of several fathers whose writings we have on this subject:
Lion Ox ...
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10
votes
Accepted
What does the abbreviation "RNIO" mean in a painting of the Virgin and Child?
There seems to be two views on what the letters "RNIO" mean in the Carlos Crivelli painting. I only have one reference for the answer: Dr. Liliana Leopardi, an expert in Italian Renaissance art, ...
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10
votes
Accepted
What is the significance of position of fingers in Jesus' hand as shown in his images?
From: What does this hand gesture mean in Icons? (Wordpress.com)
The fingers spell out “IC XC”, a widely used four letter abbreviation
of the Greek for Jesus (IHCOYC) Christ (XPICTOC). It is by ...
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9
votes
What's the significance of this image for Jehovah's Witnesses?
This looks very much like a modern portrayal of the dream of Nebuchadnezzar, as explained by the prophet Daniel in Daniel 2:
31 “You saw, O king, and behold, a great image. This image, mighty and ...
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8
votes
Accepted
Which denominations dislike pictures of people?
Amish and Old Order Mennonites disapprove of pictures of people. Stricter orders will not have family photos, and some, if you try to take a picture of them going about their business, will turn away ...
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7
votes
Accepted
Do any denominations use the full form of INRI?
Do any denominations use the full form of INRI?
The short answer is yes.
First of all, there are several denominations that have the tradition of have of displaying crucifixes in their church, such ...
- 67.7k
7
votes
On Images of God the Father According to Catholicism?
On images of God the Father according to Catholicism?
Is there anything in Catholic doctrine which prohibits or restricts displaying an image in the "likeness" of God the Father?
The short ...
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6
votes
Accepted
Prior to 1900 were there any depictions of Satan in Christian art as a woman/female?
Lucas Cranach the Elder (c.1472 – 16 October 1553), a German Renaissance painter and printmaker in woodcut and , made the following woodcut in 1523.It depicts Satan as half serpent and half woman!
...
5
votes
Does any one know about this painting?
Doing a reverse image search on Google, it appears to be a painting by Navya Davis, who claims portraying Mary and Jesus smiling is an innovation, and that the Bible 'doesn't say they didn't smile' (...
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5
votes
Why is Christ often shown with long hair in Christian iconography?
It is true that Our lord Jesus Christ is most often portrayed as having long hair. In the New Testament, no reference is made about the outward appearance of Jesus. St. Paul himself was not a fain of ...
- 67.7k
5
votes
Trying to find information on a crucifix found whilst metal detecting
just an update on the cross I found.
The British Museum have reviewed it and come back with their findings. It is taking an age to further process due to Covid. The artefact has been declared as ...
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5
votes
How are the bread and wine explained by those who forbid images of Jesus?
All that God has made, expresses himself. The creation of luminaries in the heavens expresses something about Light. And God is Light; and in him is no darkness at all.
The creation of vegetation, the ...
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5
votes
What is depicted on this small piece of artwork with Mary and the Apostles?
This is a (very typical) depiction of Pentecost.
Acts 1:12-14; 2:1-4 (DRB) Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount that is called Olivet, which is nigh Jerusalem, within a sabbath day's ...
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5
votes
Accepted
What is depicted on this piece of artwork?
The picture depicts the Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary.
The Coronation of the Virgin or Coronation of Mary is a subject in Christian art, especially popular in Italy in the 13th to ...
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4
votes
Accepted
Violence and Iconography
There are no such problem to show the violence in icons in orthodoxy. There are many icons of martyrs, which shows their suffers on. Like behading or quartering. The sample the that kind of icons are: ...
- 531
4
votes
Accepted
What was Saint Thomas Aquinas's girding by the two angels?
St. Thomas Aquinas's mother, a countess, tried to dissuade him from entering the Dominican Order because she hoped St. Thomas would become a prominent political figure. His brothers locked him up in a ...
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4
votes
Questions about this icon of Saint Sophia
Here is another icon of St. Sophia and her three daughters St. Faith, St. Hope and St. Charity:
Martyr Sophia and her three daughters at Rome
The Holy Martyrs Saint Sophia and her Daughters Faith, ...
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4
votes
Accepted
What is depicted on this small piece of artwork with Mary and the Apostles?
The picture depicts the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples of Jesus and Mary on the day of Pentecost.
The events of Acts Chapter 2 are set against the backdrop of the celebration of ...
- 67.7k
4
votes
Accepted
Is there a written tradition that would explain why John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate?
Is there a written tradition that would explain why John the Evangelist is often depicted in art as effeminate?
There seems to be no known written tradition to indicate this. In art, St. John is ...
- 67.7k
3
votes
Why do images of saints often depict them with unusual hand gestures?
The answer is partially in your question. The life of a Christian is very unusual, at least it is supposed to be. Our lives have to be oriented toward the ultimate truth who is God. So, for a Saint, ...
- 429
3
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Why do images of saints often depict them with unusual hand gestures?
Wordpress:
Ancient Greek and Roman orators used an established series of hand gestures when speaking. Since some of the oldest Orthodox statuary originated in Rome, it is likely their hand gestures ...
- 166
3
votes
Prior to 1900 were there any depictions of Satan in Christian art as a woman/female?
I'm a high school art teacher with a particular interest in a similar question that may shed some light on yours. I've been researching the development of the image of satan in early, medieval, and ...
- 39
3
votes
Why are there Sibyls and Prophetesses in the Sistine Chapel?
Why are there Sybils and Prophetesses in the Sistine Chapel?
For a short answer: They were the ancient pagan prophetesses of old who predicted the coming of Jesus into the world.
A Sibyl was an ...
- 67.7k
3
votes
Accepted
What is the meaning behind this coin of Pope St. John Paul II?
When visiting Rome, it is quite a common thing to see pilgrims and tourists buying souvenirs either close to the Vatican or right in Vatican City itself.
Buying a souvenir of the reigning Sovereign ...
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3
votes
How are the bread and wine explained by those who forbid images of Jesus?
I believe the answer is self-explanatory in the first sentence of the answer to 109: "The sins forbidden in the second commandment are, all devising, counseling, commanding, using, and any wise ...
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