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Art or painting is undoubtedly a symbolic representation of people’s thoughts, beliefs, and values. The term “medium,” often used to describe various types of materials used in creating a piece of art, or painting suggests that it exists as a midway point between the artist’s mind and the audience.
Not only does the painting itself help us understand the artist or sculptor who created it, but the very medium through which artists choose to work can reveal something about them. Art, then, is a method of communication, full of symbolism, between an artist and the public.
In no other category of painting is this symbolism more prominent than in religious art. For many, religion is a deeply held belief system that evokes powerful emotional and spiritual responses.
To elicit these emotions in the public, an artist must be skilled and adept in working with their chosen medium. An understanding of religious iconography, or those images specifically related to a faith, is also crucial for an artist who wants to create a piece of religious art.
A true master of religious art can create a piece that represents values held by many. It is no small wonder, then, that art has been part of the Christian faith for several centuries.
Over the centuries, many artists have been commissioned by churches to paint or sculpt pieces to be placed in cathedrals and monasteries. Art and religion are very much intertwined.
Today, images of Jesus Christ, the Apostles, and various Bible stories are still commonplace in many places of worship. These images provide a focal point for worshippers all around the modern Christian world.
As people of the Christian faith read the Bible, the stories become part of them. An artist who can create an image of one of these stories that includes the relevant, essential elements of the story will connect most fully with their audience.
These pieces, those that speak most completely to the public, become well-known. Michelangelo will be forever remembered for his work on the Sistine Chapel.
Other masters of painting and sculpting are working today, creating pieces of religious art that will undoubtedly be praised by future generations of worshippers and others. Religion is very persistent among humans, and it carries with it, through the ages, the imagery related to it.
Perhaps more importantly, though, is the meaning of the piece to the artist or sculptor. This individual must have deeply held beliefs themselves, as they have a desire to share them with others.
While art is meant to be seen, religious art is also meant to be a gift to God. Many Christians hold the belief that talent in any area is God-given.
Artists who believe in this feel a responsibility to pay homage to the one who gave them their abilities and their faith. Their art becomes a physical manifestation of their love for God.
The imagery and iconography an artist chooses to use in a piece has a specific meaning for them, as well as being meaningful to many others who share the artist’s faith. The way they choose to depict Jesus Christ or a Bible story speaks to why Christ or the story is important in their life.
An image of Christ rising from the tomb would imply that the artist holds that aspect of Christ’s life to be significant since they have chosen to represent it. Additionally, that image would mean that the creator of the image also has hope in the Resurrection.
An image of the Battle of Jericho would be recognized by many as an essential Bible story. To the artist, though, it may be a commemoration of a time in their life when God helped them do something that seemed impossible, just as He helped the Israelites.
Because art is such a symbolic form of communication between people, the meanings that can be extrapolated from it are numerous. This is why it is so widely used in religion.
The creator of the piece gives it their own meaning.
Manuel Marino is a seasoned Senior Producer, Music Composer, and Artist with over a decade of experience. He specializes in branded entertainment across various mediums, including video games, films, and advertising campaigns. With 20+ years as a game music composer, Manuel has worked on numerous platforms, creating diverse orchestral soundtracks. HIRE ME
