Religious painting is one of the cornerstones of art. Since its beginnings, humankind has used images to tell stories, representing the world around them and the higher forces beyond their comprehension, suggesting the development of religious beliefs. 

Throughout time, several populations used their art as a form of devotion to higher powers, whether in the form of painting, sculpture, or architecture. This tradition exists to this day, and now, we will check some famous religious paintings that left a mark in art history.

Michelangelo – Creation of Adam

Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel is one of the most known creations in art history. The artist retells the Biblical narrative in which God breathes life into Adam, the first human. Rivaled only by the Mona Lisa in popular acclaim, the Creation of Adam and the tiny gap between the hands of God and His creation is a breath-taking and moving emblem of the story of humankind. This iconic image has been the subject of countless homages, imitations, and parodies – a testament to its long-lasting effect on humankind’s aesthetic consciousness.

Filled with hints of a deeper mystical meaning, Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam has been the subject of debate for centuries, and is one of the most famous Christian paintings of all time. Looking closely at work behind God and his menagerie, one can make out a fleshy pink background. Many have argued that this is a shapely representation of a cross-section of the human brain. Mentioned that the various limbs and bodies correspond perfectly to various nodes and pituitary glands. If this was the artist’s intention, then perhaps the painting depicts God imparting to man the gift of Reason, that most valued Renaissance ideal.

Rembrandt van Rijn – Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee

This artwork is a dynamic and exciting representation of a passage in the Gospels reporting one of the miracles of Jesus, and became one of the most famous biblical paintings. According to the scriptures, while Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee on a boat, they were surprised by an intense and unrelenting storm. Overwhelmed by fear, the disciples question Jesus’ calmness. He, in turn, told the sea to be still, which immediately did, causing great awe and solidifying the faith of the disciples.

The fragile expression of the twelve disciplines, many of them distraught with panic, one even vomiting, is a testament to the humanistic vision of the young artist. Indeed, one can argue that the apostles themselves, their individual plight and distress, are the main focus of the artwork. The furious turbulence of nature is rendered as a metaphoric device to represent the lives of the disciples and the Christ, given intense dramatic impact by Rembrandt’s careful staging of this Biblical scene as a historical image and one unfolding as a pictorial narrative.

Raja Ravi Varma – Goddess Saraswati

Raja Ravi Varma is, to this day, regarded as one of the most important Indian painters and created many famous religious paintings. Here, he presents the viewer with a serene yet powerful representation of the Hindu Goddess Saraswati and masterfully encapsulates many of her traits and symbolism. 

The deity is represented with four arms and holds an array of objects. With her lower-left hand, she holds a book that represents all forms of knowledge, but also the Vedas, the universal truth. In her upper-right hand, she grasps a beautiful white crystal known as Japamala or mala, symbolizing inner reflection and meditation. The mala is a beaded prayer string used to practice meditation, and it can be associated with different forms of praying beads, such as the Catholic rosary.

Maurycy Gottlieb – Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur

Due to aniconic restrictions, Jewish religious paintings are devoid of representations of divine figures. Instead, religious artworks from Jewish artists are focused on the people who follow their faith. From kippah-wearing little children to experienced rabbis and scholars, these people are often engaging in religious activities. Indeed, a recurring image throughout the oeuvre of many Jewish artists is the figure of older rabbis reading the Torah.

An excellent example of these elements is Maurycy Gottlieb’s Jews Praying in the Synagogue on Yom Kippur. Here, we see a diverse group of Jews, including children, young and older mand, and women. They are dressed in traditional attires and celebrate Yom Kippur. The Torah is displayed prominently in the foreground, on the hands of an elderly rabbi, with all the other subjects gravitating around them, stating the religious importance of these two elements.

Odilon Redon – Buddha in His Youth

Here, we can notice a flowing, loose approach to form, using an ephemeral combination of misty shades that appears to synchronize the foliage that surrounds the Buddha and the color used to depict him as coexisting and mutually dependent living organisms. Finally released from his self-imposed exile in spiraling gothic sketches, Redon appeared to relish in the spiritual presence of the external world, summed up by this painting in the figurative reproduction of the Buddha.

The artworks beautifully represent the reflective and meditative aspect of the religion of one of the largest religions in the world. Here, one can notice Buddha in a meditative position, immersed in a bright atmosphere. His figure has the same color scheme as the background, and his outline is hazy, almost fading, hinting to the dissolution of oneself, blending with nature itself, towards enlightenment.

Religious painting is another form of expression of people’s beliefs about religion. For those who have religious beliefs, these religious paintings may be part of their enjoyment, and they may buy religious paintings for their home as a decoration or show their religious beliefs, or simply enjoy the paintings. Religious people may wear a cross necklace or a meaningful bracelet with them at all times. But there are also other ways to show their religious beliefs, such as making a printing pin of these paintings and putting them on their bags or clothes. This is less likely to be lost and more natural. Go Now and get your own printing pins!

Conclusion

As we can see, religion is a rich source of artistic inspiration. Religious narratives and values gave origin to some of the most beautiful art in history, whether originated from Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and countless more. Religious painting and art is part of human experience and will continue for generations to come, originating several beautiful artworks full of deep meaning.