Free downloadable public domain Catholic paintings on the topic of the Bible.
In the biblical story of the Massacre of the Innocents, King Herod orders the killing of all boys two and younger in Bethlehem, Jesus’ birthplace. Three magi (wise men) from the East had arrived in Jerusalem seeking the newborn king of the Jews, whose star they had seen. Taking this...
Christ asks the Samaritan woman to give him water to drink. She is taken aback because Jews did not associate with Samaritans. He speaks to her of the water of life that cures all thirst and reveals himself as the Messiah. The maker of this metalcut used punches, gouges, and...
(Subject) La Mort De Jésus-Christ Sur Le Calvaire: Jesus dying on the cross at Calvary (Gospels: e.g., Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19). The painter (Jean‑Hippolyte Flandrin): 19th‑century French painter, student of Ingres, noted for calm, classical religious scenes and portraits. Free DownloadThis image is...
Joshua with the Sun: Old Testament scene where Joshua commands the sun to stand still during battle (Book of Joshua, chapter 10). The painter (Jean‑Hippolyte Flandrin): 19th‑century French painter and Ingres student, known for calm, classical religious and historical works. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain306112rg....
This leaf once belonged to a small missal and was created in the late eleventh or early twelfth century. The distinct style of its miniature suggests it was made in Southern Germany, or possibly in the Tyrol region of Austria, where line drawing in colored inks had developed into a...
The biblical figure Daniel is known from the Old Testament for narratives such as Daniel in the lion's den and his wisdom under the Babylonian kings. Flandrin was a Neoclassical painter, meaning his works often feature calm, idealized representations and clear storytelling, especially with religious themes. Free DownloadThis...
Jean-Hippolyte Flandrin was a French painter famous for his portraits and religious works during the 19th century. The name Élisée refers to the biblical prophet Elisha (Élisée in French), who followed Elijah and was known for performing miracles in the Old Testament. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain304133rg....
Samson was the last of the judges of the ancient Israelites mentioned in the Book of Judges (chapters 13 to 16) and one of the last leaders who "judged" the twelve tribes of Israel before the institution of the monarchy. Samson was a Nazirite, and he was given...
The Last Supper of Jesus and the Twelve Apostles has been a popular subject in Christian art, often featured in cycles depicting the Life of Christ. Depictions of the Last Supper in Christian art date back to early Christianity and can be seen in the Catacombs of Rome. The Last...
The account of Ruth and Boaz comes from the book of Ruth. Ruth was a poor widow staying with her Jewish mother-in-law. She met Boaz, a wealthy landowner, and impressed him with her loyalty and work ethic. He married Ruth, and their great-grandson would be King David. Fugel uses gentle...
This painting depicts the presentation of Christ in the temple (Luke 2:25-38). During Christ's Redemption of the Firstborn ceremony, Simon (a righteous man) and Anna (a prophetess) make prophecies about Christ, His future impact, and how He will redeem the world. Fugel's paintings tend to...
“The birds of the air and the lilies of the field” (1932) by Gebhard Fugel captures the artist’s ongoing engagement with biblical themes, rendered with clarity and contemplative devotion. Created during an era of great uncertainty in Germany, the painting draws inspiration from Christ’s teachings in the Sermon...
“The Burning Thorn Bush” (1932) by Gebhard Fugel emerges from a period of intense religious revival in early 20th-century Germany, where biblical scenes were often revisited to reaffirm spiritual values during times of cultural upheaval. Fugel—well known for his large-scale, immersive religious panoramas—applies his characteristic naturalism and meticulous...
The grief-stricken faces of the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist once faced another panel referencing the Crucifixion. Their expressive features and weighty three dimensionality make their sorrow over Jesus’s death palpably human, while the golden space that they inhabit reinforces their sanctified status. Netherlandish devotional scenes sought to...
"Noli Me Tangere", originating from a predella created in medieval Italy, reflects the transition from Byzantine to early Romanesque artistic styles, characterized by stylized forms and spiritual symbolism over naturalistic representation. This scene, showing the resurrected Christ’s appearance to Mary Magdalene, was part of a narrative ensemble...
"Birth in Bethlehem" by Gebhard Fugel exemplifies the revival of religious painting in late 19th- and early 20th-century Germany, a period marked by a search for spiritual depth and clarity amidst rapid societal change. Fugel, celebrated for his devout Christian motifs, drew on the traditions of German academic...
Created by Pietro Perugino during the height of the Italian Renaissance, "The Baptism of Christ" (1500–1505) reflects the period’s fascination with harmonious composition, balanced figures, and luminous color. Perugino, renowned as one of the leading artists of his generation and Raphael's teacher, masterfully incorporates...
Coptic icons often present the Crucifixion with characteristic stylistic elements—flattened perspective, strong lines, and deeply expressive faces—focusing on spiritual, rather than physical, suffering. These images invite viewers to contemplate the mystery and meaning of Christ's sacrifice. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domainCoptic_Crucifixion_Icon....
The work features the crucifixion scene with Mary, John, and a clerical figure. It is part of the European Art collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where it has been since 1979. The painting has changed hands several times, most notably when it was sold in Paris in 1954...
Many of Rouault’s works reveal his strong Catholic faith. The Crucifixion, representing Christ’s sacrifice for the salvation of humanity, is a prominent theme. The thick application of vibrant color here is characteristic of the Fauvist movement, with which Rouault was associated. While other Fauves tended to avoid social...
The term "Effata," meaning "Be opened" in Aramaic, relates to the biblical story of Jesus healing a deaf and mute man. In Gebhard Fugel's painting "Effata," this theme symbolizes spiritual awakening and communication. The artwork captures the transformative power of faith, inviting...
These four panels, together with another one depicting the Resurrection (Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York), once constituted a predella—a series of small pictures, often narrative scenes, forming the base of an altarpiece. These predella scenes depict moments when Jesus’s divine nature was revealed: at his birth, at...
Gebhard Fugel was a German painter specializing in Christian themes, and the story of Moses striking the rock for water is a significant biblical event depicted in various artworks, particularly during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Artists like Michelangelo and Caravaggio captured the dramatic moment, employing techniques such as chiaroscuro...
The concept of the Good Samaritan has a rich history in art, often symbolizing compassion, charity, and moral duty. Originating from the biblical parable found in the Gospel of Luke, the story tells of a Samaritan who helps a traveler who has been beaten and left for dead. In contrast,...
