Free downloadable Catholic paintings which are in the public domain
This is one of six paintings illustrating scenes from the life of Saint John the Baptist, a prophet considered a forerunner of Jesus. They were originally part of a group of 12 that possibly formed the doors of a reliquary shrine to the saint.
Bernat Martorell was the greatest painter of the first half of the fifteenth century in Catalonia in northeastern Spain. Depicted here is the most frequently represented episode from the popular legend of Saint George in which the model Christian knight saves a town and rescues a beautiful princess.
Rogier van der Weyden's Seven Sacraments Altarpiece is a monumental Late Gothic triptych that visually articulates the theological significance of the seven sacraments of the Catholic Church, with each sacrament depicted within a realistic church interior.
This Late Gothic painting depicts Saint George slaying the dragon, with the princess observing the heroic act and a fortified city in the background.
This watercolor depicts a priest and an altar boy, likely on their way to administer sacraments or perform a religious duty, captured with the artist's characteristic fluidity and observation of form.
This late 19th-century watercolor by James Tissot poignantly captures the profound grief of Jesus, emphasizing his humanity amidst a somber, observant crowd before the village.
This painting depicts the Christ Child adorned with Arma Christi, symbols of his future Passion, a common devotional subject in Christian art.
"Madonna and Child Surrounded by Angels" presents a tender, ethereal scene where the Virgin, draped in a striking blue mantle, cradles the infant Christ, while playful cherubic figures populate both the foreground and the snow-covered landscape beyond.
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.
In his 1853 version of "The Good Samaritan," Alexandre-Gabriel Decamps utilizes dramatic chiaroscuro and a rugged, possibly Orientalist-influenced landscape to recast the biblical parable with Romantic intensity and a focus on tangible human suffering and compassion.
This masterpiece by Caravaggio captures the dramatic climax of the Supper at Emmaus, employing intense chiaroscuro and startling realism to depict the very moment the disciples recognize the resurrected Christ.
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 Early Netherlandish painting by the Master of Hoogstraeten depicts the biblical narrative of the young Jesus debating theology with learned elders in the temple, showcasing detailed realism typical of the Northern Renaissance.
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.
Saint Anthony the Great (also known as Saint Anthony of Egypt), who is often shown as an elderly monk with a long beard, wearing monastic robes, and sometimes holding a scroll containing his teachings or a passage from scripture. He is considered one of the fathers of Christian monasticism.
This illuminated canon table from an Ethiopian Gospel book employs Ge'ez script within a brightly colored, architectonic structure decorated with characteristic interlace patterns.
This illuminated manuscript page features Greek script alongside a figural miniature and an ornamented initial, characteristic of Byzantine or post-Byzantine book production. Luke the Cypriot (Λουκᾶς ὁ Κύπριος)was an accomplished Greek Orthodox scribe and calligrapher.
This formal portrait by Hyacinthe Rigaud presents Archbishop Charles de Saint-Albin with authoritative poise, utilizing opulent fabrics and symbols of ecclesiastical rank characteristic of the French Baroque grand manner.
This early Baroque triptych by Frans Francken the Younger vividly depicts the biblical episode of the Finding of Jesus in the Temple, characterized by its crowded composition and detailed rendering of figures and architecture.
The Pre-Raphaelite painting "Gloria in Excelsis" shows two winged figures with a harp and scroll beneath radiant cherubs, evoking a scene of heavenly praise.
This Neoclassical painting by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres depicts the biblical episode of the young Jesus debating with learned scholars in the Temple of Jerusalem, showcasing a central theme of wisdom and precociousness.
The painting is a formal and dignified portrait of Pope Benedict XV. It captures his authority and status while also conveying a sense of his humanity. The artist's skill in rendering the textures and details of the clothing and chair adds to the overall richness of the image.
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.
Giacomotti's "Jésus chez les docteurs" (1865) depicts the biblical scene of 12-year-old Jesus discussing scripture with scholars in the temple. The painting showcases the young Jesus's wisdom as he engages with elders, emphasizing his divine knowledge despite his youth.
