Madonna and Child with Saint Barbara and Saint Catherine - Essay Example

We should therefore be highly inspired by such saints who influence artists and stimulate them to produce works of such high caliber. The legendary saints also influence the poetic and aesthetic abilities of human beings. There are a lot of sinful creatures in this world, many Christians believe that if the holy virgins, as presented in these works would appeal to the lord at his throne then everything will be fine. This is because they believe that these works of art are not just manmade pieces of art, they are in fact a peak into the heavenly figures.

That’s why a lot of Christians find pleasure in producing and observing religious art. Many people did not know Saint Catherine of Alexandria until the crusaders used her name. They believed that she had helped in the Eastern Church and hence her name started being venerated. She was considered to be an epitome of wisdom and knowledge. To add to all of it, she had been of royal blood. Obviously, all these claims about her have been questioned but nevertheless her place in Art remains unquestioned and unopposed.

A lot of scholarly Christians place her next to Mary Magdalene. Different ornaments that she wears symbolize different things. For example, the book indicates her learning, the crown represents her superiority, and sword represents her martyrdom. This picture has been praised globally. In this picture, Catherine is shown with a virgin and a child. She has an elegant and a dignified persona and she is wearing a princess dress. This picture is a very beautiful Madonna picture. In it, Saint Catherine is said to be representing a beautiful daughter of an artist.

She is sitting at the ground, while the virgin is seated on a chair with a baby in her arms. Virgin and the child are sitting in a fenced-off area of a courtyard being surrounded by four very beautiful saints. Also, this picture symbolizes that Saint is being depicted as a beautiful woman rather than as a knowledgeable or scholarly one. She is in Uffizi. Because of her learned nature she is very often also shown accompanying Saint Jerome and other doctors of the church. Her other frequent companions include Saint Barbara and Mary Magdalene.

The presence of St. Barbara in the picture is also a very symbolic one. While young, she was secluded and so she gave in to prayer and meditation. She is shown close to the virgin. Her personality is a reminder of God’s presence. This beautiful picture by Raphael is also kept in the National Galley and has gained acclaim. It shows saints to her knees, her right arm is folded around her breast while she has kept the left one on the wheel. She is looking at one spot in the sky with an expression of joy and relief on her face.

The background also shows a delightful landscape. According to Passavant: "It is one of those works which nothing can describe; neither words, nor a painted copy, nor engravings, for the fire in it appears living, and is entirely beyond imitation" (Saints in Art Chapter VI The Virgin Patronesses and the Great Virgins of the Latin Church n.d.) In my opinion, these portraits cannot be classified as sins because they represent a close bond between the Christ and the saints. These pictures reflect love, devotion and care.

These pictures should be treated with dignity. These pictures are also a source of information for us. By looking at them we get to know the true value of our ancestors and the much revered saints we hear of. These