Ponsonelli presents a vision of the Virgin Mary floating on clouds, one foot placed firmly on the crescent moon, the other on a dragon (symbol of the devil). The iconography represents the Immaculate Madonna, referring to the Catholic doctrine that Mary was born without sin, like her son Jesus. Ponsonelli...
The lifeless body of Jesus Christ, taken off the cross after his crucifixion, rests in his mother Mary’s lap. John the Evangelist holds his head. Mary Magdalene, with an ointment jar, looks at his feet—according to the Gospel of Saint John, she had once anointed Jesus’s feet...
Jesus is seen dead on the cross while his mother, Mary, and his favorite disciple, the Evangelist Saint John, mourn below. This large-scale work embodies the characteristics of Romanesque sculpture in the medieval period, with its heavy stylized bodies, calligraphic depiction of hair, and linear, energetic approach to rendering the...
With extraordinary anatomical precision, this sculpture focuses on the suffering of Christ, who is shown still alive and in extreme physical pain. Ivory was the material of choice for depictions of Jesus, not merely because it was an exotic material imported at great expense from southern Africa, but also because...
The figure of the Infant Saint John the Baptist was carved as a companion figure for the Infant Jesus Christ (on the opposite pedestal). source: artsmis.org Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain.download.jpg423 KBdownload-circle Please SUBSCRIBE or DONATE to help keep this site free!...
German Nativity Scene (Krippe): – Elaborate 81-piece nativity featuring various figures, animals, and Baroque architecture. Unknown Artist: 18th-century German artisan, likely a carver specialized in religious folk art and complex multi-figure displays. Free DownloadThis image is in the public domain.download.jpg446 KBdownload-circle Please SUBSCRIBE or DONATE to help keep this...
This outdoor devotional statue presents the Madonna and Child atop an inscribed plinth, typical of Marian columns or roadside shrines found throughout Central Europe.
The Philippines features impressive Catholic statues. This one, of Moses holding the Ten Commandments, symbolizes a rich historical and religious heritage. This awe-inspiring sculpture draws visitors for its intricate artistry.
This large ivory carving, shaped like a tusk, depicts the Christ Child embracing his mother in a tender pose. It’s an early example of Eleousa, or “Virgin of Tenderness,” used for private devotion in Christian Egypt, notable for the Virgin’s large head, fixed gaze, and angular drapery.
This statue of Archangel Michael at the Day of Judgment stands on a prostrate demon and holds a flaming sword raised in his right hand.
The Virgin is supported by cherubim and stylized clouds and supports the Christ Child in her arms. The painted decoration of the Virgin and Christ Child is original and would contribute to an impression of the royal status of the mother and child.
The tabernacle is a sacred place where the Eucharist, a central rite in the Christian faith involving consecrated bread and wine, is kept. Its emptiness on Good Friday represents the absence of the Eucharist as a sign of mourning and reflection on the death of Jesus. 💸Please donate or subscribe...
During Lent, especially on Good Friday, veiled statues in Catholic churches symbolize the mourning and reverence for the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. The practice of veiling statues is a tradition that helps Catholics focus on the solemnity and significance of the Lenten season, particularly during Holy Week leading...
The image shows a statue of St. James the Less, which is housed within the Basilica of St. John Lateran. The statue is sculpted in white marble and depicts St. James in a dynamic pose. He is standing with one leg slightly forward, suggesting movement. His facial expression is serene,...
The Tombs of Henry II of France and his wife Catherine de' Medici, located in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in Paris, are elaborate examples of Renaissance funerary art. Henry II's tomb features a detailed recumbent effigy of the king, while Catherine de' Medici's tomb...
The statue "The Redeemer" by Michelangelo, also known as Christ the Redeemer or Christ Carrying the Cross, was created between 1519 and 1521. It is a marble sculpture located in the Basilica di Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome, Italy. This impressive work of art is a significant...
About the Image: The sculpture depicted in the image is a representation of Saint James, known as one of the Twelve Apostles in Christian tradition. Saint James is often portrayed as a pilgrim, which is evident from the attire featured here, notably the scallop shells on his hat and the...
About the Image: The image depicts a statue of the Apostle Jacob, part of the sculptural decor of Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia. This majestic statue, created in the 19th century, is a representation of the religious and historical significance that apostles hold within the Christian...
About the Image: George from Lydda (a town in Palestine) served in the Roman army and became a saint through the martyrdom he suffered on account of his Christian faith. The popular legend about his defeat of a dragon symbolizes the victory of piety over sin and of good over...
About the Image: This basilica, once a medieval abbey church, is now a cathedral that is historically and architecturally significant as it houses the first structure to utilize all the elements of Gothic architecture, completed in 1144 . The basilica also serves as a necropolis containing the tombs of French kings,...
About the Image: The artwork is a religious sculpture of Jesus Christ on the cross, known as a crucifix, situated within a church. It is a part of Catholic iconography, which is common in many churches around the world. The figure of Christ is typically depicted in a realistic manner,...
About the Image: The statues depict two apostles and are found on the façade of the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, commonly known as Barcelona Cathedral. Located in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, Spain, the cathedral is a prominent example of Gothic architecture. These apostles, with their...
About the Image: The tomb effigy of King Dagobert is located in the Basilica of Saint-Denis in the northern suburbs of Paris, France. The Basilica of Saint-Denis is renowned for its Gothic architecture and holds the distinction of being the burial site for numerous French monarchs. The effigies, tombs, and...
Saint of the Day: October 26 About the Image: Painted wood sculpture from Spain in the 1600s involved a team of artisans working under a lead sculptor. The sculptor first carved numerous pieces of wood in complex forms. So the paint would stick properly, these fragments were delicately covered in...
