What is sacred art?

A religious art it is an artistic manifestation that is closely related to the sacred and religiosity. It encompasses all accessories and garments—sacred ornaments.

She stands out in:

• liturgical utensils
• Church ceiling panels
• stained glass
• mosaics
• sculptures of saints
• paintings
• Drawings of Bible passages

Currently, there are several museums around the world exhibiting works by art sacred. In Brazil, it was the first artistic manifestation developed after the arrival of the Portuguese, being crippled one of the most important artists of this line, in the context of baroque in Minas Gerais.

By not having a defined style, the works of sacred art depend on the time in question and the culture in which they are inserted.

It is important to point out that they are not a cultural manifestation aimed at only one religion. In this way, sacred art is used by Buddhism, christianity, among other beliefs.

Difference between religious art and sacred art

Even though the religious and sacred arts are closely linked, there is a fundamental difference that determines them.

religious art

It consists of artistic works of a religious nature, symbolized by paintings of biblical scriptures, sculptures of saints. Generally, these manifestations are not found in places of religious rituals.

Religious art

They are works of a religious nature related to rituals. Its mission is to beautify the places where celebrations and religious rites take place. In addition, it has the role of involving the faithful's feelings of faith and religiosity.

Sacred Art – Abstract

In general, both religious art and sacred art have the function of decorating places, however, the works produced by the latter have the mission of composing religious rituals.

Thus, the production of sacred art is exclusively directed to cults. For this reason, it relates to the places where the rituals take place. It follows, then, that all sacred art is religious, but not all religious art is sacred.

We can cite, as an example, the work of leonard da vinci, The last supper (1495–1497). It decorates the Church and Convent of Santa Maria da Graça, in Italy.

Because it is located in a place directed to sacred rituals, it is a sacred art.

Learn more at: Byzantine art