Groups in Church-Related Scenes

Basic Info

The ongoing life of the Church also provided subjects for artists over the years, primarily in the depiction of specific liturgies and sacramental moments but also in the depiction of judicial proceedings, teaching and preaching, and councils and synods.

The word liturgy means “work of the people” and is meant to convey the collective activity directed toward the worship of God that occurs at daily or weekly church services. A sacrament is a visible sign of God’s grace conferred upon someone; water for example conveys God’s grace at Baptism. Orthodox and Roman Catholic Christians recognize 7 official sacraments (3 Sacraments of Initiation—Baptism, the Eucharist, Confirmation [called Chrismation in Orthodox tradition]; 2 Sacraments of Healing—Penance and Reconciliation and the Anointing of the Sick; and 2 Sacraments at the service of Communion—Marriage and Holy Orders [Priesthood]). Most Protestant traditions recognize at least 2—Baptism and the Eucharist (Lord’s Supper, Holy Communion); some recognize more.

Specific liturgies and sacraments often depicted in the art tradition include the Mass of Saint Gregory, a legendary event during which the Eucharistic host turned into the bloody body of Jesus Christ to quell the laughter of a skeptic, and the Baptism of King Clovis I of France, who then went on to conquer most of Europe.

Certain trials also show up in the art tradition, especially of heretics. Perhaps the most common is the trial of Saint Joan of Arc, a 13-year-old peasant girl who had inner visions of Jesus Christ telling her how to lead the French army. She was captured by the other side, tried as a heretic, and burnt at the stake in 1431. Groups of spectators are usually depicted.

Teaching and preaching events are especially common in the Protestant tradition, as their sacramental and liturgical practices were less important than teaching and preaching. The congregation is usually depicted.

Councils and synods, events at which all the leaders from a particular denomination convene to debate theological points and at which disputes over doctrine are resolved, have been the subject of artworks since the 4^th or 5^th century. The group of Church leaders is the group depicted.

What to Look For

• Whether worship is taking place in any way
• Evidence of diversity or unity of thought or action (council arguing or agreeing, one side supporting the one on trial the other condemning, etc.)
• The concrete, worldly mediations of God’s grace (water, bread, wine, etc.)
• The physical appearance of the group members
• The variety of expressions and traits in the group members
• Evidence of the oneness, holiness, universality, or apostolic foundations of the Church

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

Who is present in the artwork? Who is missing? What does this say about who has power in the Christian community and what church means?

Does the artwork present the group of people depicted as the Body of Christ in any way?

Does the artwork reflect the four marks of the Church: oneness, holiness, universality, and a connection to the heritage of the Apostles?

Questions to Guide a Personal Interpretation

Who is attractive among the people depicted? What aspects of the artwork repel you? Is this a church you would want to join?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation

Does the artwork reflect the idea that God deserves to be honored with only the finest materials and by the finest people, or does it include average people worshipping God with the simple things they have? Why might either position have been important in the artist’s time and place?

Who is present in the artwork? Who is missing? What does this say about who has power in the Christian community and what church means? How might this reflect the powers and prejudices of the artist’s time and place?