Free downloads of Catholic paintings of female saints in the public domain.
This panel represents Catherine Benincasa of Siena, one of the most influential women of the late Middle Ages. Affiliated with the Dominican order, she was renowned for her devotion to the poor and sick as well as for her mystical visions. In one such vision, she saw herself marked with...
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 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.
Hesse, a French painter born in 1795, was known for producing stained glass designs, portraits, and large-scale religious compositions. He was decorated in 1840 for his contributions to art and later became a member of the Institut, succeeding Eugène Delacroix in 1863.
François-Joseph Navez's Saint Cecilia of Rome (1842) is a notable example of neoclassical art that reflects the artist's deep engagement with religious themes and classical aesthetics. Navez, a prominent Belgian painter born in 1787, became well-known for his historical and genre paintings.
This circular work of art, known as a tondo, shows the Virgin Mary and Saint Joseph with the child Jesus, and Saint Elizabeth holding John the Baptist on the right.
Saint Monica tenderly holds a boy (possibly Saint Augustine) while beckoning the viewer with an open hand in this Academic painting by French artist Alexandre Cabanel.
This is a Symbolist painting depicting St. Cecilia, the patroness of musicians, surrounded by angels who announce her impending martyrdom.
Karl von Blaas was an Austrian painter known for his detailed and expressive historical and religious paintings. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna and Venice, becoming a prominent figure in 19th-century academic art. "Die Heilige Katharina" (Saint Catherine) is a notable work by Karl...
Edwin Austin Abbey (1852-1911) was an American artist renowned for his illustrations and paintings, particularly those that drew upon literary and historical themes. Abbey's works often exhibit a meticulous attention to detail and a deep sense of narrative. "The Three Marys" depicts a significant moment from...
"The Penitent Magdalene" by Titian depicts Mary Magdalene in a state of deep repentance. She is shown with long, flowing hair, gazing upward with a sorrowful expression, symbolizing her plea for divine forgiveness. The dark background contrasts with her illuminated figure, emphasizing her emotional state. Symbols such as...
"Mary Magdalene (1879) by Frederic James Shields," depicts Mary Magdalene in a contemplative pose, with flowing hair and draped clothing, embodying a sense of penitence or reflection, which is consistent with traditional portrayals of this biblical figure. The use of soft colors and the detailed rendering of the...
Francesco Vanni (1563-1610) was a leading artist in Siena during the late Renaissance and the Counter-Reformation, known for blending Mannerist and Baroque styles. His work "The Mystical Marriage of Saint Catherine of Siena" is notable for its depiction of the saint's spiritual union with Christ, a...
Francisco Bayeu y Subías was a prominent Spanish painter, who had a significant influence on 18th-century Spanish art. His association with the Royal Collection suggests that his work was held in high regard, potentially commissioned or acquired by Spanish royalty. "San Francisco de Sales" being an oil on...
About the Image: The artwork presented is a gouache painting depicting a female saint, likely Bridget of Sweden, identifiable by her religious habit and the symbols she holds: a crucifix and a book, which often signifies her status as a visionary and an author of religious texts. The technique, gouache,...
Saint of the Day: January 4 About the Image: Elizabeth Ann Seton, born in 1774, was the first native-born citizen of the United States to be canonized by the Catholic Church. She was a Catholic religious sister and an educator, known for founding the country's parochial school system....
About the Image: This is a deeply evocative work titled "Interment of Saint Cecilia in the Roman Catacombs" painted by Luis de Madrazo in 1852. Let's dive into its details and significance: 1. Saint Cecilia: The central figure, lying gracefully on the ground, is Saint Cecilia....
About the Image: This is a typical example of the two-sided panels carried in fifteenth-century religious processions. Such objects were regularly handled and exposed to the elements. On one side, the theologian Thomas Aquinas and the mystic Catherine of Siena, who holds the heart that Christ gave to her, flank...
About the Image: This breathtaking artwork captures the moment of the resurrected Christ appearing to His mother, the Virgin Mary, with two famous Italian saints kneeling before Him. The left side is graced by Saint Catherine of Sienna, while Saint Francis of Assisi kneels on the right. Christ himself is...
About the Image: The Virgin Mary holds a significant place in the Catholic faith. Here are some of the reasons why: * Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God. As such, she is called the Mother of God, and her role in giving birth...
About the Image: The Virgin Mary holds a significant place in the Catholic faith. Here are some of the reasons why: * Mary is the mother of Jesus Christ, who is considered the Son of God. As such, she is called the Mother of God, and her role in giving birth...
Details: This work depicts Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Virgin Mary, and is likely a fragment from an altarpiece dedicated to the life of the Virgin. While Joachim was fasting in the wilderness, an angel appeared to tell him that he and Anne, who had previously been unable...
Details: According to legend, Saint Dymphna was the daughter of an Irish king who converted to Christianity. Her father became obsessed with her beauty and tried to force her to marry him. When she refused, he became enraged and had her beheaded. Saint Dymphna is considered the patron saint of...
Details: Sacred Heart is a Catholic devotion that views the heart of Jesus as a symbol of God's boundless and passionate love for mankind[1]. Romain Cazes was a French historical painter born in St. Béat (Haute-Garonne) in 1810[1]. His work has been offered at auction multiple...
