Symbolism In Art Flashcards
What do religious art symbols convey
A deeper and spiritual truths and beliefs, helping believers connect with their faith
Importance of religious art
Expression of faith:
(Art helps communicate…)
Art helps communicate complex religious ideas and emotions
How is symbolism in art a teaching tool
Historically, art educated people who could not read scripture
How does art build the Connection to the divine :
Art inspires worship and brings people closer to god
Cultural heritage of religious art
Religious art reflects the culture and belief of a specific time
What does the cross/crucifix represent in art
- Jesus ‘ sacrifice and resurrection’
- symbolises salvation and gods love
What does the chi rho represent
- Jesus’ role as the messiah
- an early Christian symbol using the first two letters of ‘Christ’ in Greek
What do doves represent in religious art
- symbolises the Holy Spirit
- associated with peace and gods presence
What do fish (ichthys) represent in religious art
- the symbol of early Christians
- represents Jesus (Greek acronym for ‘Jesus Christ , son of god, saviour’)
What does the alpha and omega symbol represent in religious art
- represents god as the beginning and the end (revelation 22:13)
What does lamb represent in religious art
- represent Jesus as the ‘lamb of god’ who takes away sun
- associated with sacrifice and redemption
What does light symbolise in religious art
- symbolises Jesus as the ‘ light of the world’
- often depicted as halos around saints or candles in church
What does the tree of life represent in religious art
- represents eternal life and gods plan for humanity
- often linked to the garden of Eden and salvation
What does the Virgin Mary symbolise in Catholic art
- depicted wearing blue (symbolising purity) and often holding the infant Jesus
What does a sacred heart represent in catholic art
-represents Jesus’ love for humanity , often surrounded by thorns to symbolise his suffering
What does stained glass represent in Catholic art
- gods light entering the world
- used in churches to depict bible stories and saints
What does the trinity symbolise in catholic art
- often represented as a triangle , three intertwined circles, or a dove alongside a hand and cross
What do icons represent in Catholic art
- used in eastern Christianity ; these images are believed to bring believers closer to the divine
Tree of life apse mosaic: cross? (4p)
- the centre of the mosaic is Jesus on the croix (crucifixion)
- Jesus died to take away sons of the world
- Jesus was the ultimate sacrifice to make up for sins of man
- shows gods omnibenevolence
John 1:29-32 (lamb)
“Lamb of god who takes away the sins of the world”
What does the tree under the cross represent in the tree of life painting
- reminder of the tree of knowledge from Eden and and Adam a disobedience
Jesus is the new Adam and shows us how to believe and join god
What did St Paul say about the last Adam
“ the last Adam (Jesus) became a life giving being”
What do the vines represent in the painting of the tree of life
- they are growing from the cross in the painting growing from the cross
- these vines represent Jesus’ death gives life to everyone by freeing them from sin
John 15:1 (vine)
“I am thé true vine and my father the husbandman”
Revelation 22:13 (alpha)
“I am the alpha and omega”
What do the four evangelist represent in the tree of life mosaic painting
- at the top are the four gospel writers: matthew mark luke and John
What does gospel mean
Good news
What was the job of the gospel writers
Spread the good news of Jesus to all people
Luke 12:2-3 (behind door)
“What you’ve whispered behind closed doors shout from the rooftops”
Matthew 28 18-20
“Baptise all nations in the name of god the father, son and Holy Spirit”
What does image does Matthew represent and what does it show
A man
- to show god became a man through Jesus (incarnation)
What image does mark represent
A lion
- shows how the royalty and leadership of Jesus
What image does luke represent in the tree of life art and why
An ox
- to show Jesus as a priestly figure
What image does john represent in the art of the tree of life mosaic
An eagle
- to show how the words of god will guide people to heaven
What do thé the doves in the tree of life mosaic art represent
Apostles
What do the lambs in the art of the life of life mosaic represent
Innocence sacrifice take away sins
- 12 apostles
What does chi rho in the art of the tree of life mosaic represent
Resurrection of Christ
Facts on the creation of Adam artwork by michelangelo (6p)
- depicts god giving life to Adam
- human special relationship with god + imago dei
- see cloud that gods in as a brain = omniscient
- god being above Adam shows transcendence
- fingers about to touch shows the spark of life =sanctity of life
- mirroring god
