Examines the use and meaning of Christian symbols found in Renaissance art.

Understanding Early Christian Art is designed for students of both religion and of art history. It makes the critical tools of art historians accessible to students of religion, to help them understand better the visual representations of Christianity. It will also aid art historians in comprehending the complex theology, history and context of Christian art. This interdisciplinary and boundary-breaking approach will enable students in several fields to further their understanding and knowledge of the art of the early Christian era. Understanding Early Christian Art contains over fifty images with parallel text.

Symbols of the Christian Faith is an illustrated guide to the major visual symbols used by the Christian church throughout history. These stylized illustrations, designed by artist Alva William Steffler, are intended to provide usable, up-to-date resources for contemporary church worship and Christian education. Throughout church history symbols have been used to aid worship and to communicate difficult spiritual ideas. Steffler here collects these symbols, from early Christian catacomb art to the present, offering fresh graphic interpretations of old visual forms. The accompanying text notes the biblical sources for the various symbols and traces their use in church tradition and their links to Greco-Roman culture. Extensive glossaries and indexes round out the book. Broadly inclusive and sensitive to the perspectives of every church tradition, this volume will be an invaluable resource for churches using Christian art as well as for general readers curious about the meaning of common Christian symbols.

An introduction to Pacheco's writings on the decorum of religious painting -- Of the order, decency and decorum that invention ought to follow -- In which the matter of decorum is continued -- In which the approval of the painting of the Last Judgment and the subject of decorum is concluded -- Important counsels on a number of sacred histories, regarding the truth and correctness with which they should be painted in accordance with the Divine Scriptures and the Holy Doctors -- In which counsels on the painting of sacred histoiries are continued -- In which the counsels on sacred paintings are continued -- On the truthful paintings of some of the best known of the saints -- In favor of painting the four nails with which Christ our Redeemer was crucified -- In which the thought and approval of these two letters is given be learned men that examined and approved them