Outline the varied nature of religious art
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There are many varied interpretations of what defines religious art. It is said to be art which cannot be categorised but an art which cannot be categorised but an art which is separated into different styles, genres and periods. Many find that religious art all have a purpose and according to Rowena
Loverance (an art historian) ‘it is to deepen our encounter with God’ and ‘help you tap into the ineffable’. Mauchita Mauk also described religious art as ‘the bridge between the tangible mundane and the intelligible realm’ in other words; it is the link between the real world and the spiritual world.
Another interpretation of religious art is Smart’s seven dimensions of religion. One of the dimensions is ‘ritual’. This includes forms and orders carried out in ceremonies either private or public. For example for Christians, Baptism and Mass. Another dimension is social and institutional.
By this, he means a belief system that is shared and attitudes practiced by groups which follow rules
– identifying community membership, such as how Christians follow the Ten Commandments.
Many find ‘religious art ‘in stories from scripture. For example Grunewald’s crucifixion. In this illustration we can see Jesus in a very disturbing manner. His hands and feet are twisted, and body parts are swollen. According to Kontoglu ‘The whole body is one repulsive pile of flesh in final decomposition’. This illustration shows no edification, no hope, only despair. It is recognised that the paining is created with fear and consternation. This leads me to believe it may inspire faith and devotion for believers .
Religious art can also represent religious characters such as saints and martyrs . For example St Clement of Rome is often symbolized with an anchor which brings about connotations of being supportive and stable. He was often known to be seen with an anchor as he was thrown into the sea. Similarly, St. Luke the Evangelist is portrayed with an ox-representing strong and a service.
Religious art is also known to depict theological ideas . For instance, Holman Hunt’s
Light of the World. From this illustration – not only can we deduce that Jesus is the light brought into the world – but he also brings with him, the light from his lantern which he carries, the stars in the sky and halo around his head.
Religious art may also be used as an educational tool such as the wheel of life, Tibetan Tanka
. This illustration shows us the realms we aim for and realms we should avoid. For example, we should want to be in a heavenly realm not the Deva ream or the hell realm as
Buddhists believe in a level of equilibrium. The wheel of life is a Buddhist educational tool – generating their ideas of life after death.
Religious art may act as an aid of worship. This includes Michelangelo’s pieta – which is often described to recognise the ineffable, something which words fail to achieve.

These are many varied explanations of religious art from many religion and denominations.
Examiner comment: Valid take on the ‘varied nature’ of question
‘All art can be called religious if it inspires the viewer’. Assess this claim.
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Pope John Paul recognises religious art to a. Stir awe and wonder (into the
minds of many) b. Reflect beauty (or the transcendental). Therefore it would seem his message was to inspire viewer to look towards the transcendent/numinous. However Pope
Gregory the Great said, ‘what writing does for literate, a painting does for the illiterate by looking at’ which implies that religious art is used as an educational tool/didactic.
On the other hand, the Sistine Chapel (similar to Pope John Paul’s beliefs) can create huge amounts of awe and inspire viewers regardless of being religious at all.
Many find that religious art has to have religious matter for it to be classed as religious. For example many believe that many viewers wouldn't understand and become confused such as Botticelli’s work and Michelangelo’s as they refer to non-biblical references in their art.
Many understand, however, that it doesn’t matter about religious matter as long as viewers appreciate form style and composition. Also with regards to Michelangelo’s pieta – one does not need to be religious to understand that tragedy of loving a child.
Many find religious art inspiring as it mirrors the creativity of God and can also act as aid to worship.
Acting as the ineffable – for example Bernini’s state of ecstasy and is inspiring to see that the numinous can be translated into other forms.
Yet art can inform as we see from the seven sins and by contrasting them with the holy virtues – we know what to aspire to – inspiring us to aim for diligence for example.

Examine the importance of religious art for the community of believers in one religion you have studied.
Within Christianity, Pope Gregory said ‘pointed likeness are made for the instruction of the ignorant so they might understand what happened and learn from it’ For example stained glass and wall paintings can be referred to as didactic art as examples like such tell stories and teach doctrine through scripture, theology and ethics.
An example of this, within Christianity, is 'Christ before the high priest' by Hornthurst, which concentrates on God in human form. The illustration focuses on the burning candle in the centre of the composition. The scene brings about spiritualism and realism of the nature of
God. It is known to have a naturalistic deception of Christ, allowing people to feel closer to God . Another example of Christian art is ‘The Vanities of human life’ by
Steenwyck. The painting was created post-reformation when the message ‘ sola scriptura ' urged a return to the reformers. The 2 nd commandment also states that ‘ Though Shall not worship image or idol’ . So reformers got rid of images of Christ and elaborated depictions of the saints and replaced them with Vanitas paintings. The Vanitas included books symbolising human knowledge, musical instrument symbolising pleasure of the senses and a shallow bow to representation and wealth. The Vanitas themes is also mirrored in the New Testament (Matthew
19:24) ‘It is harder for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’ in other words, we should give up wealth, enjoyment and learning as they are transitory and ultimately meaningless.
Another purpose of religious art for believers is to propagate and express
personal faith. Medieval art was meant to glorify God and serve the Church.
Faithful and devoted artistic expression wax on expression. An example of this is Holman Hunt's
'Light of the World'. From this painting we can see that not only is he the light of our world but brings light from the lantern which he carries, stars form the sky and halo around his head.
Convey deeper religious truths – Sistene chapel, Rome.

Looking after works of religious art is the duty of every religious community. Assess this claim.
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Many would oppose to this view as many believe religious art is not relevant to today. As we live in an increasingly secular, non/multi-religious society – many wouldn’t believe. It is their duty to maintain the looking after of the art. Also, Quakers who believe art is in fact a distraction to religion, would most definitely object to this, as they believe it is more important what’s in the bible and solitude and quiet prayer.
Yet, many find that religious art is spectacular and is useful as it glorifies God with his creativity and we can only be grateful to him by maintaining his works of art, respectively.
Also, religious art is often used as an educational tool for children such as the Tibetan Wheel of life, and many would argue that if such art is not maintained and looked after with great care - how is it going to appeal to children and what kind of message would that bring?
However, looking after art would mean money being spent. Many would say this is the least we could do for God – allowing him to look respectful and take pride of these paintings for example.
But, many would say it is a waste of money and thinks like poverty are much more important when people are dying when art is seen as a luxury.
Evidently in the Bible’s 2 nd 10 commandment – do not worship images – we should to be idolatrous/prophetic, and therefore money would be better spent on others who need it – ‘help thy neighbour’ . Also Matthew ‘do not store up treasure; implies we should not keep paintings and such like for ourselves and should perhaps donate m0ney to a better cause.
God is all loving and would be likely to help the poor.