The Bible inspired many artists and painters over time to produce some pretty awe-inspiring glimpses of one person's vision of biblical accounts. Since the book lends itself to a wide interpretation, the perspectives of the artists themselves isn't always so easy to grasp.

Here are some of my favorites:

Garden of Earthly Delight (http://www.artbible.info/art/large/307.html) - Jheronimus Bosch — 1480/90 of ca. 1500

The Last Judgment - detail of hell (http://www.artbible.info/art/large/400.html) -- Giotto ca. 1267 – 1337

(That one reminds me of the illustrations in the book Where The Wild Things Are)

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (http://www.artbible.info/art/large/131.html) - Albrecht Dürer -- 1471 – 1528

^I thought this one was incredibly detailed for a wood carving.

Albrecht Durer did a series of carvings, illustrating the book of Revelation. That's where the Four Horsemen one came from.

Is this a joke?

Is this a joke?

Why are you anticipating a punch line?

It kind of strikes me as strange that instead of choosing, I dunno, the last supper or Fedorovskaya, you choose a "flat" earth, a depiction of hell, and an apocalyptic massacre.

Why is it strange? Appreciating art for aesthetic purposes shouldn't limit the viewer to certain subject matter that fits in neatly with their views. Art is individual expression, and although the scenes depicted in a painting or sculpture or carving or illustration may not jive with someone's personal ideas, it shouldn't be simply discarded or left unappreciated. That's pretty narrow-minded.

The Last Supper doesn't move me, perhaps I've been overexposed to it. Fedorovskaya ... not one of my favorites either. Sorry, but I can't apologize for not living up to your expectations of what you assumed I'd find as aesthetically appealing as far as religious artwork is concerned.

art has partially associated itself with religion since the dawn of religion itself.

cave paintings to temple statues to obelisks to the canvas have had religion as a source of inspiration

Why is it strange? Appreciating art for aesthetic purposes shouldn't limit the viewer to certain subject matter that fits in neatly with their views. Art is individual expression, and although the scenes depicted in a painting or sculpture or carving or illustration may not jive with someone's personal ideas, it shouldn't be simply discarded or left unappreciated. That's pretty narrow-minded.

The Last Supper doesn't move me, perhaps I've been overexposed to it. Fedorovskaya ... not one of my favorites either. Sorry, but I can't apologize for not living up to your expectations of what you assumed I'd find as aesthetically appealing as far as religious artwork is concerned.

You're great at putting words in mouths.

You're great at putting words in mouths.

How's that? You think my selections of favorites were strange, I tried to explain how it might seem strange to you, but to me, it's just an appreciation of art, regardless of content.

Now - where'd I put words into mouths?

Now - where'd I put words into mouths?

I agree with this:

Appreciating art for aesthetic purposes shouldn't limit the viewer to certain subject matter that fits in neatly with their views. Art is individual expression, and although the scenes depicted in a painting or sculpture or carving or illustration may not jive with someone's personal ideas, it shouldn't be simply discarded or left unappreciated.

But your post implies I don't.

It kind of strikes me as strange that instead of choosing, I dunno, the last supper or Fedorovskaya, you choose a "flat" earth, a depiction of hell, and an apocalyptic massacre.

My selections striking you as "strange" seemed to imply that the choices I made as favorites were odd due to my not believing in "flat earth, hell or the apocalypse".

By the way - what is strange about my selections? You seemed to think it was posted as some sort of joke.

Gotta love Bosch--wonder if he reincarnated as Dali?

I'm also real keen on the Greek and Roman pagan-inspired art, Egyptian art (most all of which was religious in nature), the awesome giant Buddha that some Muslim nutcases totalled, the temple carvings in Cambodia--the list goes on and on.

I love Egyptian art! Most colorful.

I also would love to have seen some artists of our generation depicting their Biblical interpretations through their modern art styles.

Can you imagine the late Jackson Pollock's messy (yet flowing) rendition of, say ... The Sermon on the Mount?

Has anyone ever visited the Sistine Chapel?

By the way - what is strange about my selections? You seemed to think it was posted as some sort of joke.

I was questionable of your post's point and pointlessness.

I was questionable of your post's point and pointlessness.

Oh, well - in that case ... did I clarify the point of my posting, or is there anything else I need to clear up?

Feel free to discuss why you think this thread is pointless.

I like Gustave Dore's pieces:

The Confusion of Tongues (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/af/Confusion_of_Tongues.png)

The Death of Abel (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/41/Death_of_Abel.png)

Empyrean (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d2/Paradiso_Canto_31.jpg/540px-Paradiso_Canto_31.jpg)

John Martin also did some good ones, but I couldn't find any pictures on the internet that do him justice.

Gotta love Bosch--wonder if he reincarnated as Dali?

There are similarities to be found, aren't there? Earlier when I read your post, I was at work and didn't have the spare time to compare their paintings. They truly do have a similar form in some pieces! Dali believed to be reincarnated from his brother, says his biography. It was thought that Bosch was a deeply pious man.

John Martin also did some good ones, but I couldn't find any pictures on the internet that do him justice.

I couldn't find anything other than small thumbnail prints either. Some of them outside of the Milton theme were really cool. I especially liked The Bard:

http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/pic/BRGPOD/185125~The-Bard-Posters.jpg

http://www.carthage.edu/dept/english/dante/frames/MapsofHell/BartolomeoMap.jpeg

Christian music (the old stuff not Christian rock or anything) tends to be pretty calming as well.

Maybe it's just me but I always found older art (such as the ones depicted in OP) to be a little too bland.

i like the one with abraham about to kill isaac before being stopped by gabriel

I much like Willam Blake

Blasphemer (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/blake.blasphemer.jpg)

The ancient Days (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/ancient.jpg)

Whirlwind of Lovers (Illustration to Dante's Inferno) (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/lovers.jpg)

Christian music (the old stuff not Christian rock or anything) tends to be pretty calming as well.

Organ music gives me anxiety, to this day. But I'd be seriously holding out if I didn't admit that old Elvis gospel tunes make the hairs on my arms stand up ... in a good way.

I much like Willam Blake

Blasphemer (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/blake.blasphemer.jpg)

The ancient Days (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/ancient.jpg)

Whirlwind of Lovers (Illustration to Dante's Inferno) (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/blake/lovers.jpg)

He is very good.

Speaking of religious art....anyone notice most paintings of the Virgin Mary has her sitting or standing on a crescent moon?

Organ music gives me anxiety, to this day. But I'd be seriously holding out if I didn't admit that old Elvis gospel tunes make the hairs on my arms stand up ... in a good way.

I meant choir and monk stuff. I used to go to a church that was deep in the arts and there was no organ, no piano, no instruments at all, just a beautiful choir. Even the chantings when they're not musical are pretty inspiring, or the mere readings from the OT on the occasional evening vespers. Just soothing and calming all around. It helps to listen to it to clear my head when I meditate now that I don't go anymore.

Oh, well - in that case ... did I clarify the point of my posting, or is there anything else I need to clear up?

Feel free to discuss why you think this thread is pointless.

I don't think it's pointless, I was wondering it if is pointless. The decision dependent on the thread's point: if it is to have a discussion about the aesthetics of religious art, then it's a new contribution to the forum; if it is merely another dig at Christianity (although a highly original one for this forum) through presenting the violent imagery it can encourage, then the forum has millions of them already. To begin with, I was leaning toward the latter, as the former seemed more appropriate for "Art and Design". But as it is, I've probably ruined a perfectly good thread.

But as it is, I've probably ruined a perfectly good thread.

I found myself agreeing only with this statement.

if it is merely another dig at Christianity (although a highly original one for this forum) through presenting the violent imagery it can encourage, then it's a new contribution to the forum

Oh, Hare. Must you be such a Negative Nancy? This thread isn't about violent imagery.

No digs or negative innuendo to be found here. I was actually pining for a discussion about the perspective of these latter day artists and their visions regarding biblical text - hoping to compare it eventually to a modern day artist's depiction of biblical scenes, which could be used as a small measure of how biblical interpretation has changed over the ages. I do not plan on moving this to Art & Design.

Happy Holidays! Here's something you can print out and put in your stocking along with all the lumps of coal you're likely to get for being such a joykill:

http://bp1.blogger.com/_9zuA9JeJY_I/RvD954dMFwI/AAAAAAAAAOI/DME4C1bH1do/s320/Dawkins-portrait2-web.jpg

:p

Organ music gives me anxiety, to this day. But I'd be seriously holding out if I didn't admit that old Elvis gospel tunes make the hairs on my arms stand up ... in a good way.

I guess Toccatta and Fugue in D Minor would be out of the question, huh?

I guess Toccatta and Fugue in D Minor would be out of the question, huh?

I'd sit politely and listen ... but in my head, there'd be a whole 'nother melody going on. :cool:

nshanin:
I was in a shopping mall earlier today and found myself at one of those music kiosks that had different selections of music - you know the ones, often a huge assortment of themed tunes where you press a selection and it gives you a sample of the CD?

Anyway, they had some Gregorian chants, and I could see how that would be a calming effect, somewhat like low-note, minimal beat trance music.

And speaking of monks - this time, the Buddhist variety:

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/05/24/toddler-sand-painting.jpg

"Eight Tibetan monks spent two days cross-legged on the floor at Union Station, leaning over to meticulously create an intricate design of colored sand as an expression of their Buddhist faith. They were more than halfway done when, within seconds, their work was destroyed by a dancing toddler. And in typical Tibetan monk fashion, they simply smiled and started over."

More Tibetan Monk Sand Art (http://www.mysticalartsoftibet.org/Mandala.htm)

"Traditionally most sand mandalas are destroyed shortly after their completion. This is done as a metaphor of the impermanence of life. The sands are swept up and placed in an urn; to fulfill the function of healing, half is distributed to the audience at the closing ceremony, while the remainder is carried to a nearby body of water, where it is deposited. The waters then carry the healing blessing to the ocean, and from there it spreads throughout the world for planetary healing."