New Testament Biblical Saints

Basic Info

The New Testament is full of figures upon whom God shows favor. Artworks that depict these figures in the midst of stories are best interpreted using the article on Bible Stories. Artworks that seem to be statues or portraits of the New Testament figures can best be interpreted through this article.

Each character tends to symbolize a particular approach to, or aspect of, faith. Most of them are referenced in the four Gospels. The Epistles (Letters) tend not to recount stories. The Revelation of John does refer to specific figures, but these are probably allegories for historical figures that he could not risk offending.

Some saintly figures from the New Testament show up in the art tradition more than others; the app contains articles on some of them: Zechariah, Elizabeth (Visitation), Mary (Jesus’ mother), Joseph (Nativity, Holy Family), the Wise Men (Nativity), Shepherds (Nativity), Simeon (Holy Family), Anna (Mary’s Birth, Holy Family), John the Baptist, the Apostles, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha of Bethany, and Paul.

What to Look For

• How God’s favor is depicted (glow, halo, physical beauty, etc.)
• How the person’s faith is depicted (posture, gestures, actions, symbols, etc.)

Questions to Focus a General Interpretation

Is the artist simply including this figure in a collection of other important Biblical figures, or is there something special about this figure? 

Does the artwork celebrate the grace God bestowed on this person, or does it depict the tension between the grace and the human frailty?

Questions to Guide a Personal Reflection

Do you find this figure inspiring based on the artwork, or do you feel you would have to know more about the person’s story to appreciate him or her?

Questions to Suggest a Historical Interpretation

What might have been going on in the artist’s time and place that made this figure especially relevant or inspiring?

A Reflection on an Artwork Depicting Saint Joseph