Catholic paintings from the Baroque period.
Saint Ambrose, who lived in the fourth century, was an important Christian scholar and bishop. Here he is depicted among his books in a forceful pose emphasized by his massive hands. On the table’s edge, a scourge, or whip—the knotted rope attached to a wooden rod—symbolizes Ambrose’...
This angel carries symbols of the Passion—the events associated with Jesus Christ’s suffering and death. The pitcher, basin, and cloth represent those used by Pontius Pilate to wash his hands of responsibility for Christ’s crucifixion.The painting belongs to a series of twelve angels carrying symbols of...
This painting illustrates a scene from the Christian Bible. A young maidservant accuses the apostle Peter, in the yellow cloak, of knowing Jesus. Fearing for his own safety, Peter denies the acquaintance. While working in Italy, the Dutch artist Gerrit van Honthorst earned the nickname Gerard of the Night for...
This angel holds a tablet inscribed “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews” in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin was placed on the cross, above Jesus. The painting belongs to a series of twelve angels carrying symbols of Christ’s Passion—the events associated with Jesus Christ’s suffering and death--which...
Tradition holds that Saint Mary Magdalene, a close follower of Jesus Christ, retreated to a cave in penitence during the final years of her life. Here, she clutches her purple robes and looks up at the bright divine light that falls upon her. Two attributes, or identifying symbols, of the...
This painting by Gerard de Lairesse depicts Saint Anthony the Hermit in an allegorical manner, illustrating his role as a caretaker for those afflicted with leprosy and those considered mentally simple in society. In religious and cultural tradition, Saint Anthony was known as a patron saint for people suffering from...
Below this resplendent vision of the Trinity—God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (shown as a white dove)—are souls in purgatory represented as anguished, naked figures in partial darkness. The light shining down on some of them and the Father’s compassionate gesture portend their eventual redemption. Corrado...
The "Martyrdom of Saint John the Evangelist, at the Latin Gate" is an oil painting created between 1637 and 1647 by the workshop of Charles Le Brun. This Baroque artwork depicts the martyrdom scene of Saint John the Evangelist and is housed in the Church of Saint-Nicolas-du-Chardonnet in...
This painting of the Madonna and Child displays the meticulous finish, rich colors, and intensely sweet piety characteristic of the Florentine Baroque artist Carlo Dolci.
This Baroque sketch likely served as a preparatory study for a larger work, depicting Saint Teresa of Ávila's ascent into heaven with dynamic movement and celestial light typical of Counter-Reformation religious ecstasy.
This painting depicts the biblical scene of King David bringing the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, rendered with dynamic composition and rich detail characteristic of the Baroque period.
Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (1615–16) is an oil-on-panel painting by Jacob Jordaens, a prominent Flemish Baroque artist. The artwork illustrates the biblical passage from Mark 10:13–16, where Jesus blesses children brought to him by their parents.
This painting, by Francisco Antolínez, was painted between 1645 and 1700 and depicts the story from the Bible in which Jesus is found in the Temple after three days of searching. Antolínez was a historical and landscape painter. He was born in Seville, and was a nephew of José Antolínez.
This devotional plaque, of the Annunciation, is by Suzanne de Court, the only woman enamel painter to sign her work.
John the Baptist collects water from a natural stream in this earth-toned painting by Italian Baroque painter Guercino.
"Adoration of the Magi" from 1624 by Abraham Bloemaert, a Dutch artist from the Baroque period. Bloemaert is noted for his detailed religious and mythological compositions, rich use of color, and dramatic lighting. This work depicts the biblical scene where the three Magi, or Wise Men, visit the...
About this image This painting is a good example of the Baroque style which uses contrast, such as the contrast between the soldiers (almost hidden in darkness) and the angels (bathed in the light of Christ and bursting with color). Further details in the bottom of the image reveal a...
The image depicts a classic painting of Saint Francis de Sales, a prominent figure in the Catholic Church, dressed in what appears to be 17th-century European attire. The saint is portrayed holding a crucifix. He is wearing a dark, almost black coat with a wide, blue, embellished collar over a...
About the Image: Between 1950 and 1981, the Städel succeeded in reuniting the parts of Elsheimer’s greatest work, which was documented but presumed lost. The modern frame of this domestic altarpiece was reconstructed after sketches made in 1612. While the central panel shows the exaltation of the Cross, the...
About the Image: The artwork depicts the Child Jesus discussing with the doctors of the Law in the Temple of Jerusalem. This painting belongs to a series of twelve artworks depicting the life of Jesus Christ, with their original golden frames, which come from the convent church of La Merced...
About the Image: In "Christ among the Doctors" by Matthias Stom, we witness a dramatic Caravaggesque interpretation of a young Jesus engaged in discussion with the elders in the Temple, a biblical scene from Luke 2:41-52. The painting is characterized by Stom's use of tenebrism—...
About the Image: "Christ with the Samaritan Woman at the Well" painted by Sisto Badalocchio between 1609 and 1610 is a beautiful representation of a pivotal biblical story, capturing a moment of profound spiritual revelation and understanding. The artwork delves deep into the theme of divine grace, redemption,...
Saint of the Day: October 26 About the Image: "The Apparition of John of Capistrano to Peter of Alcantara" by Luca Giordano, created in 1692, is a dramatic and spiritually evocative piece that masterfully utilizes Baroque techniques to tell a narrative filled with profound religious sentiment. Let'...
Saint of the Day: October 26 About the Image: The canvas belongs to the last period of Giovan Battista Lucini's activity. It is characterized by the strong luministic effects that make the figures of the characters stand out, in contrast with the clear and luminous background of the...
