4.4 Artwork

Question 1

Why is sacred art used in the secular form?

Answer 1

• To express the faith and emotions of the artist
• To draw the observer into deeper worship with God
• To help the observer to understand more about God
• To give greater insight into the truths of the Catholic faith
• To back up and express beliefs about the Catholic faith.

Question 2

How does the Icon of Christ, St Catherine’s Monastery Sinai, reflect Catholic beliefs?

Answer 2

• Christ has two facial expressions on either side of his face, reflecting the belief that he has two nature; he is both fully hmna and fullt divine.
• Christ has a holo reflecting his holiness and the fact that it is gold shows his divinity
• Christ is holding the holy book, reflecting the belief that the is the Word of God and the Bible has come directly from God
• The positioning of the rigt hand symbolises both the Trinity and Christ’s death on the cross

Question 3

How does Fresco of Giotto by St Francis of Assisi reflect belief?

Answer 3

• St Francis is preaching to the birds, showing nature as part of God’s creation, and birdsong as praising the Creator.
• St Francis has one hand lowered symbolising him welcoming the birds.
• The other hand is raised in blessing, with three fingers held up reflecting the three parts of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• St Francis’ golden halo shows the holy quality of his life and God’s prescence with him.

Question 4

What are some of the different ways art is used to express belief?

Answer 4

• The Council of Nicaea said that holy images of the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the angels and the saints are to be ehibited in the church, on sacred vessels and vestments, on walls and panels, at home or in the streets. The Catholic church has followed this advice and uses art in various different ways.
• Sacred art is not just used for devotion but as an aid for worship. It is not the art itself being worshipped, but what they reflect.
• Individual believers may have prayer cards at home and holy images on their walls.

Question 5

What does CCC 2502 say about art?

Answer 5

“Sacred art is true and beautiful when it corresponds to its particular vocation: evoking and glorifing, in faith and adoration, the transcendent mystery of God”

Question 6

What does CCC 2503 say about art?

Answer 6

“The bishops, personally or through delegates should see the promotion of sacred art, old and new, in all its forms”