Saints in Venetian Renaissance Art

Giovanni Bellini; Madonna and Child in a Landscape; 1480; painting Oil on Panel; 71.7 cm x 52.8 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC, United States

Vittore Carpaccio; Triumph of Saint George (Saint George Kills the Dragon at Selene); 1504-07; Oil painting on canvas; 141 x 360 cm; Scuola di S. Giorgio degli Schiavoni Venice, Italy

Giovanni Bellini; St.Francis in the Desert; c. 1480; tempera and oil on poplar panel; 124.4 x 141.9 cm; The Frick Collection New York, New York, USA

Tiziano Vecellio; Saint Christopher; 1524; Fresco painting; 310 x 186 cm; Palazzo Ducale, Venice, Italy

Antonello da Messina; St. Jerome In His Study; 1475; painting; 46 x 36 cm; National Gallery of Art of London; London, England

During the Early Modern period, saints in Venetian art were shown as heroes.  A picture of a saint could be a portrait of the Virgin Mary or a lesser-known saint, but they still serve the same purpose.  Their purpose was to glorify the Catholic religion.  Artists would paint the saints in different manners to show them in their most natural form, while also displaying the characteristics that they were most known for.  These paintings also glorify the church by showing the saints of the religion, who are the most devoted members of the faith, and enforcing people's belief in the Catholic Church.  

A painting of the Madonna, like the Madonna and Child in a Landscape by Giovanni Bellini, serves to show the love and gentleness of the sacred mother.  The painting shows the Virgin cradling baby Jesus in a natural landscape that envelopes the two characters.  The two figures fill most of the canvas to ensure that they are at the focal point of the work. This painting draws people into the Catholic faith by showing the love that they will receive from Mary and Jesus if they believe. 

The other paintings of saints in this gallery serve varying purposes.  The painting of Saint George by Carpaccio enforces the importance of courage and putting other before yourself.  St. Francis appears in a painting by Bellini showing the importance of knowledge and faith.  This painting also showcases the miracle of St. Francis receiving the wounds of Christ on his hands, which shows followers of the faith that they too can become Christ-like if they are good enough Christians.  The portrait of Saint Christopher by Titian serves to soothe the fears of Catholic believers by showing a powerful saint that will protect followers of the faith.  The final saint shown in this gallery is St. Jerome who, similarly to St. Francis, emphasizes the importance of intellectual knowledge.  All of these saints showcase different characteristics that serve to paint the Catholic Church in a better light by showing the most devoted followers of the faith.