The Life of Christ in Art

Paintings for Holy Week

Note: Images are in the public domain.

Scripture texts are taken from the ESV.

Adoration of the Shepherds

by Gerard van Honthorst (1622)

“For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” Luke 2:11-12.

Presentation in the Temple

Georgia, 12th Century

And when the time came for their purification according to the Law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. . . . Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. . . . [And] he took him up in his arms and blessed God and said,

“Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:22-32

The Flight into Egypt

by Carl Spitzweg, 1875–1879

An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you, for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” And he rose and took the child and his mother by night and departed to Egypt and remained there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” Matthew 2:13-15

Disputation with the Doctors

by Duccio di Buoninsegna (between 1308 and 1311)

As they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents did not know it, but supposing him to be in the group they went a day’s journey . . . . When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem. . . . After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. . . . And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? . . . . And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” . . . . And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. . . . Luke 2:41-51

The Baptism of Christ

Joachim Patinir (1510-20)

In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And when he came up out of the water, immediately he saw the heavens being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9

Christ in the Wilderness

By Ivan Kramskoy (1872)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Matthew 4:1.

The Calling of the Apostles Peter and Andrew

By Duccio di Buoninsegna (c. 1308–1311)

While walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon (who is called Peter) and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And he said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

Matthew 4:18-19

The Wedding Feast at Cana

By Cana Julius Schnorr von Carolsfeld (1819)

Jesus also was invited to the wedding with his disciples. When the wine ran out. . . . His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”. . . Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” . . . When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine. . . [he] called the bridegroom and said to him. . . . “You have kept the good wine until now.” This, the first of his signs, Jesus did at Cana in Galilee, and manifested his glory. And his disciples believed in him. John 2:1-11

Healing of the Blind Man

by Jesus Christ by Carl Heinrich Bloch (1871)

​

Miracle of the Bread and Fish

by Giovanni Lanfranco (between 1620 and 1623)

​

Christ Blessing the Children

by Nicolaes Maes (1650–1653)

​

Jesus Casting out the Money Changers

by Carl Bloch (1800’s)

Entry into Jerusalem

by Giotto (c. 1266)

Most of the crowd spread their cloaks on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him were shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” And when he entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?” And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.” Matthew 21:8-11

Jesus Washing Peter’s Feet

By Ford Madox Brown (1852–1856)

[Jesus] laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. . . .

Peter said to him, “You shall never wash my feet.” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no share with me.” Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!” John 13:4-9

The Last Supper

By Leonardo da Vinci (1495 - 1498)

And as they were eating, he took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to them, and said, “Take; this is my body.” And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. And he said to them, “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.”

Mark 14:22-24

The Agony in the Garden of Gethsemane

By El Greco (c. 1590)

And they went to a place called Gethsemane. . . . And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” Mark 14:32-36

The Taking of Christ

By Caravaggio (c.1602)

Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man. Seize him and lead him away under guard.” Mark 14:44.

Christ Before Pilate Again

By Duccio di Buoninsegna (1308 - 1311)

Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” John 18:36-37

Ecce Homo!

By Munkácsy Mihály (1896)

And Pilate again said to them, “Then what shall I do with the man you call the King of the Jews?” And they cried out again, “Crucify him.” Mark 15:12-13

Christ Carrying the Cross

By El Greco (1580’s)

So they took Jesus, and he went out, bearing his own cross, to the place called The Place of a Skull, which in Aramaic is called Golgotha. John 19:16-17.

Christ Crucified

by Diego Velázquez (c. 1632)

He said, “It is finished,” and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. John 19:30.

The Descent from the Cross

By Rogier van der Weyden (c. 1435)

So they took the body of Jesus and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as is the burial custom of the Jews. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one had yet been laid. So because of the Jewish day of Preparation, since the tomb was close at hand, they laid Jesus there. John 19:40-42.

Resurrection of Christ

By Noël Coypel (1700)

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31.

Christ rising from the Tomb

By Gaudenzio Ferrari (1530 and 1546)

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” Luke 24:46-47.

The Holy Women at the Tomb

By William-Adolphe Bouguereau (1876)

And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here.” Mark 16:5-6.

Resurrection of Christ and Women at the Tomb

by Fra Angelico (1440 and 1441)

And as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day rise.” Luke 24:5-7.

The Incredulity of Saint Thomas

By Caravaggio (1601 until 1602)

Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29.

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31.

He is Risen!

​

Alleluia!