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Using Sacred Art to Bring the Faith Alive
How to Use
Because sacred art is a proven way to infuse your classroom with beauty while encouraging fruitful discussions, we have included several images below, along with ways to bring the painting to life.
Art featured in Spirit of Truth: The Blessed Trinity and the Holy Family (K)
Resurrection
When Mary Magdalene first saw the resurrected Jesus, she thought He was the gardener. When she realized it was Jesus, she knelt and said "Rabboni!", which means "teacher".
c. 1440-1442, Fra Angelico, Basilica di San Marco, Florence, Italy
Jesus Before Pilate
Pilate sentenced Jesus to death on the Cross. Help your students understand this part of Christ's Passion.
c. 1308-1311, Duccio Buoninsegna, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Siena
The Return of the Prodigal Son
This image brings to life for your students one of Jesus' most beloved Parables about God's love and mercy.
c. 1773, Pompeo Batoni, oil on canvas, Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna, Austria
The Good Samaritan
Having a student-friendly image can make the parable of the Good Samaritan more meaningful for students.
c. 1890, Vincent Van Gogh
The Two Trinities
This unique painting shows Jesus and the "two trinities." Challenge your students to find them in this picture and reflect on how the family is an icon of the Trinity.
c. 1675-1682, Bartolome Estaban Murillo, oil on canvas, National Gallery, London
Presentation of Christ in the Temple
Mary and Joseph, like all faithful Jews, presented their baby to God in the temple. Simeon holds the baby Jesus in this image.
c. 1433-1434, Bl. Fra Angelico
Ethiopian Icon
Having multiple images of the Baptism of Jesus can help our imagination and understanding. Here is one to help your students understand the concept of Baptism.
The Visitation
Show your students the visitation, the origin of a line in the Hail Mary: "Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus."
c. 1433-1434, Bl. Fra Angelico
Peaceable Kingdom
Do your students know what the world was like before the Fall? This image shows all of creation living in harmony.
c. 1834, Edward Hicks, oil on canvas,
The Banjo Lesson
Show your students an example of fatherly love with this image.
c. 1893, Henry Ossawa Tanner
Madonna With Child
Your students will appreciate the love and tenderness of the Virgin Mary in this painting.
c. 1650, Sassoferrato, oil on canvas
Icon of the Holy Trinity
Who is God? The Sign of the Cross, as well as this painting, give many clues.
c. 1400s, Andrei Rublev, Tretyakov Museum, Moscow