Free downloadable Catholic paintings which are in the public domain
About the Image: The brothers Jacob H. and Philipp Schiff were members of one of the old Jewish families in Frankfurt. Jacob H. Schiff was eighteen when he emigrated to America, where he became a very successful banker. He contributed most of his considerable fortune - some 100 million dollars...
About the Image: This painting, "Jesus among the Doctors," attributed to the Master of Mondsee, dates back to around 1500. It belongs to the Late Gothic period, specifically within the Northern Renaissance that swept through Europe at the time. The artwork is remarkable for its meticulous detail and...
About the Image: DID YOU KNOW? X-ray fluorescence analysis is a nondestructive technique used to determine the elemental composition of materials. On this leaf it revealed that the dark blue pigment contains azurite. DESCRIPTION All the essential narrative elements—Mary, the infant Jesus, and the three Magi—are tucked into...
About the Image: This vertical-format work shows a view of the Sachsenhausen bank of the Main River and the eye-catching tower of the Dreikönigskirche. Beckmann's flat and his studio in Schweizer Strasse were just steps away from the Eiserner Steg footbridge, whose railing can be seen as a...
About the Image: Its richness of execution and its artistic quality are what make this panel so captivating. It was once part of the predella of an altarpiece – later largely destroyed – from Siena Cathedral. Bulgarini’s retable and three others by Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Simone Martini surrounded the...
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—...
Saint of the Day: November 4th About the Image: This image is a representation of Saint Charles Borromeo, generated by AI, and it captures the essence of the saint in a deeply expressive manner, suggesting a scene of contemplation and devotion. In this portrayal, Saint Charles is depicted with his...
About the Image: Here is a beautiful page from a Byzantine-style illuminated manuscript. Manuscripts such as these played a crucial role in preserving religious texts, stories, and iconographies during the medieval period. Let's delve into the components: 1. Text: 2. * The text is written in Greek, a significant...
About the Image: The two immaculately preserved panels depict with great attention to detail the events leading to the Incarnation of Christ. Together with a Risen Christ (today in the Abegg-Foundation in Riggisberg), they originally served as the top sections of a four-part altarpiece which Crivelli painted in 1482 for...
About the Image: This artwork masterfully interweaves the vibrant and tumultuous aesthetic reminiscent of Van Gogh's "Starry Night" with the deeply rooted biblical narrative of the Maccabees. The forceful brushstrokes, combined with the explosion of radiant colors, craft an atmosphere pulsating with movement and a celestial...
About the Image: The Maccabees hold a significant place in the history of the Jewish faith, representing resistance, resilience, and dedication to religious freedom. This image, though generated by DALL-E, captures the essence and spirit of the Maccabees in a vivid and evocative manner. Let's delve into the...
About the Image: The arena of cruel, pagan public amusement in antiquity has become a place of Christian faith. Various groups of believers are scattered across the vast oval of the ruined Colosseum. A wooden cross rises in the centre of the monument, which Pope Benedict XIV had dedicated during...
About the Image: In the view of the Nazarene Philipp Veit, who was appointed director of the Städelsches Kunstinstitut in Frankfurt in 1830, the art of the future should be based entirely on the Christian Middle Ages. His fresco, which was transferred to canvas, shows an allegorical representation of the...
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...
About the Image: "Jesus among the Doctors" by Jörg Breu the Elder, painted in 1502, is a remarkable representation of a significant moment in the New Testament. Let's delve into the artwork's narrative, symbolism, and style. Narrative: The painting is inspired by the biblical...
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: The “spiritual father of Cuba” was a missionary, religious founder, social reformer, queen’s chaplain, writer and publisher, archbishop, and refugee. He was a Spaniard who worked in the Canary Islands, Cuba, Madrid, Paris, and the First Vatican Council. Anthony learned Latin and printing while working as...
About the Image: The image is a representation of Saint John of Capistrano, commonly referred to as John Capistrano. He lived during the 15th century and is often remembered for his passionate sermons, reforms, and efforts in defending Christianity. A few points to note about the artwork: 1. Halo: The...
About the Image: Saint John of Capistrano (1386-1456) was a Franciscan friar and preacher who lived during the late medieval period. He is best known for his fervent sermons and missionary activities and for his role in organizing and leading a crusade against the Ottoman Empire, which culminated in the...
About the Image: Girolamo da Carpi was one of the most gifted artists at the court of the Este family of Ferrara, an important artistic center during the Italian Renaissance. This intimate work was painted for the Estes and adorned the oratory chapel of their palace. In the painting, Saint...
About the Image: Ah, "St James the Greater" by Alonso Cano from 1635. Let's delve into this striking piece: Artist Background: Alonso Cano (1601-1667) was an Andalusian painter, architect, and sculptor, making him a rare master of the three major arts of his time. He is...
About the Image: This is a beautifully detailed page in a Book of Hours, specifically the "Horae Beatae Mariae Virginis." These books, predominantly used during the late Middle Ages into the Renaissance, were Christian devotional books primarily for laypeople. They typically contained prayers, Psalms, and Gospel lessons to...
