Religious Themed Paintings inside Houston's MFA

European Art

All of these religious themed paintings that were photographed inside Houston's MFA ( Museum of Fine Arts ) come from the section titled European Art from the 1400's to the 1800's.

The vast majority of the ones presented in this hub are from the earlier days with some of them estimated dates.

In some cases, those early artists are not even identified for certain and knowledgeable guesses have been made as to which master might have been the creator of such beautiful and inspired pieces of religious art.

Most of this section showcases the religious art related to Christianity.

Are you ready for this tour? Come along as we explore some of these masterful creations...

Pietro degli Ingannati

This first painting which is an oil on panel is a perfect example. It is attributed to Pietro degli Ingannati but there is some confusion as to who he actually was. Most art historians think that he was Italian and actively worked from 1529 to 1548. Whether he painted this beautiful piece under this name or another name, the end result is a thing of beauty.

Titled The Madonna and Child with Saints Peter and Paul this now graces the walls of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and can be enjoyed by countless viewers.

Francois-Joseph Navez

A Belgian artist who lived from 1787 to 1869, this oil on canvas was painted by Francois-Joseph Navez in 1823. It is titled: The Incredulity of Saint Thomas.

Most Christians know the story of "Doubting Thomas."

After Jesus Christ was crucified, died and rose from the dead, Thomas indicated that he would believe in the resurrection of Christ only if he could see Christ in person and satisfy himself that Jesus was indeed alive after the horrors of that death on the cross. This painting tells that story graphically with Thomas placing his hands into the wounds of the risen Christ's body.

Sebastiano Ricci

Here, the artist is not in doubt. Sebastiano Ricci was an Italian who lived from 1659 to 1734. It is only the date of this masterful oil on panel that is in doubt.

The Last Supper was probably painted in the 1690's.

In this elaborate work of art Jesus is shown sharing his last meal with his apostles.

This took place prior to his being betrayed by Judas ( one of his 12 apostles ) the next day and subsequently suffering the fate of crucifixion which was generally reserved for those committing heinous crimes.

Joachim Anthonisz Wtewael

This Netherlandish or Dutch painter and engraver was one of the last Mannerist Painters of his time. Wtewael ( also spelled Uytewael ) lived in the years 1566 to 1638 and painted this oil on canvas titled Annunciation to the Shepherds in 1606.

The style of mannerism often had exaggerated figures such as elongated body parts or overly muscled people being portrayed.

In this painting the subject matter addresses the shepherds who were watching their flocks of sheep being awakened by angels announcing the birth of the Christ child.

Petrus Nicolai Moraulus

Born in 1499, Petrus Nicolai Moraulus lived to the year 1576 which was a ripe old age for that day and time.

The Mass of Saint Gregory was a painted oil on panel completed in 1530.  Saint Gregory the Great was the Pope ( head of the Catholic Church ) from 590 to 604.  There is a lot of symbolism going on in this particular painting which is well described in the link to the right.

Tintoretto

Tintoretto was actually a nickname.  This artist's real name was Jacopo Comin.  Also known as Jacopo Robusti, he was the eldest of twenty-one children and was the son of a dyer or tintore.  At an early age Jacopo started drawing and painting and showed extraordinary talent.  For the very briefest period of time he was a student of Titian.

An Italian ( 1519 - 1594 ) he produced this oil on canvas work titled Mocking of Christ between the years 1585 to 1590. 

Tintoretto was a prolific producing artist and here he portrays Christ as being taunted and tortured prior to his crucifixion and death.

Baptism of Christ  was probably painted in the 1520's by a "South Netherlandish" artist. 

In this painting St. John the Baptist is baptizing Christ. 

Master of Frankfurt

Obviously this is a descriptive title rather than a real name.  A very talented anonymous artist who probably was Netherlandish around the years 1460 to approximately 1533 executed this oil on two panels around 1500.  Holy Kinship  portrays the Virgin Mary holding the Christ child along with her mother, Saint Anne and surrounding family members.

This was a popular theme in religious art of the 15th and 16th centuries.

There is some speculation that the Master of Frankfurt might have been the Flemish Renaissance painter Hendrik van Wueluwe according to some accounts.  This is solely based upon the type of painting done in that era by that artist, but is not known for certain. 

Quentin Massys

Lamentation is attributed to having been painted by Quentin Massys, a trained iron-smith turned painter. He was Netherlandish and lived from 1466 to 1530. This oil on panel was created in 1520.

Depicting the sorrowful scene of the dead Christ having been removed from the cross, many loving figures surround Him while the two thieves who were executed at the same time still remain up on their crosses.

Giuliano Bugiardini

An Italian who was born in 1475 and who died in the year 1554, Giuliano Bugiardini painted this oil on panel in the 1510's.

Madonna and Child with Saint John the Baptist was in the Italian High Renaissance style of painted composition.

According to the plaque next to this wonderful work of art, figures were often arranged in a pyramid form such as one can easily see here with the Virgin Mary forming the top of the pyramid and the babies, Jesus Christ and Saint John the Baptist at the bottom forming the base.

Lambert Lombard

Netherlandish, 1506 to 1566, this oil on double-sided panel was created in 1541. Titled Scenes of the Passion and Resurrection of Christ it shows many episodes in the Life of Christ and undoubtedly graced some church altar for many years. Now residing in Houston's MFA, it is just one of many admirable religious paintings dating back to European Art from the 1400's to the 1800's.

Hopefully you enjoyed this look at a few of the religious themed paintings from the European era dating back to as early as the 1400's in the Museum of Fine Arts Houston. Obviously there is much more to see!

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