QUIZ: 8 Fun Things to Know about Vermeer’s View of Delft
Tom Anderson 9 November 2024
Did you ever enter a church and wonder why some figures in frescoes or stained-glass windows carried weird objects or animals? There are a lot of saints who have been historically represented with specific symbolic iconography. We find the reason in history: in the Middle Ages, the majority of people could not read. These symbols allowed people to recognize important biblical figures by associating an object with them. In fact, the symbols often clearly recalled a particular episode or event from the saint’s life, like their martyrdom, or a legend linked to them, which often represented their way to holiness.
During the centuries, the iconography of the saints became so important that it remained a fundamental cornerstone of Christian art. You can still see them in modern representations!
Do you think you can guess which Catholic saint is represented in each artwork, carefully looking at their accompanying objects and animals? Give it a try in this quiz on Catholic saints!
This saint is usually represented killing a dragon. This motif comes from a legend about him and became a very popular subject matter in art. According to the legend, he was a noble knight who set the area of today’s Turkey free from a terrible dragon. As a reward, he did not ask for money or princesses, he just prayed for the people to convert to Catholicism.
Which saint is that?
DailyArt Magazine needs your support. Every contribution, however big or small, is very valuable for our future. Thanks to it, we will be able to sustain and grow the Magazine. Thank you for your help!