Religion and artwork have always intertwined right from the onset in every historical analogy. Many religious scholars and profound artists have often found themselves torn between the desire to forge a bridge between the visual arts and religious practice. This strong desire gave rise to the concept of sacred artwork, an artwork that connects art and divinity.

These arts are constructed to capture and explore the majesty of God's creation and his blinding aura. This spirituality can be connected with a magnitude when you look at this sacred art, often termed religious art. This article will explore sacred art, where it originated, and how Catholic art became engulfed in this artistic verse.

The Catholic Church and Art
The Catholic Church was one of those responsible for the dissemination of art around the world; world-renowned artists produced outstanding works such as the Holy Supper. As the Church has done since the beginning of time, the Council of Trent issued a resolution that evidences and attests to the representation of images of Christ and the Virgin Mary in art.

This means that the representations of Our Lady and her apparitions are considered sacred artworks that convey not only the symbolism but the actuality of a period lived and seen.

Christ crucified with arms raised is one example of a depiction of the crucifixion rejected by the Holy Church and is not regarded as sacred art or an accurate representation of the Catholic faith.

This artistic treasure has been cultivated with utmost priority because sacred art must serve worship with dignity and beauty while also adapting to the needs of present times and varied areas. A lot of attention needs to be paid, so that sacred art continues to serve devotion and the devout, rather than leading people to question or reject their faith.

History of Catholic Sacred Art
The Sacro sanctum Concilium states that it is the responsibility of holy art to enhance the sacred liturgy. "The Church has never considered a style as her own, but has accepted the styles of all times, according to the nature and condition of peoples and the requirements of the various rites," it reads in the Sacro sanctum Concilium, "thus creating over the centuries an artistic treasure. which must be carefully preserved" (n. 123).

It follows that a work of art need not be associated with a particular period or school, such as the Baroque or the Neoclassical, to be regarded as sacred. The Church is cautious and discerning in its pronouncements. Thus, it decides which artistic practices are and are not in keeping with traditional norms. True works of sacred art avoid hyperrealism and oversimplified symbolism, as both can be offensive to religious sensibility.

Since some nuances are lost in translation and exaggerated symbology’s push the art further away from the Truth, hyper-realism entails that no art can be tolerated. Pope John Paul II provided an excellent and valuable message in his Letter to Artists, which argued that sacred art should give form to matter and universally reflect tradition and religion by translating the divine to the world.

A famous example of sacred art is the Via Sacra, present in virtually all Catholic Churches; from the most spectacular to the simplest chapels, the Via Sacra can be implemented in the form of paintings, paintings, sculptures, ceramics, and many other media. Annually around Easter time, the Way of the Cross is renewed with great excitement; devotees pass in front of each figure, and together they retrace the full path of Jesus on the way to the crucifixion.

What's the difference between sacred artwork and religious artwork?
There is a significant difference between sacred art and religious art. Sacred art is created for religious use, with the end goal of enhancing liturgy, worship, and humanity's relationship with God. This aesthetic encourages believers to put their faith into action, and as such, it alludes to religious and spiritual pursuits.

Consequently, the artist's religious beliefs are reflected in their works of religious art, which, despite expressing the admirable ideals of love, faith, and adoration of God, are often not welcoming. More importantly, it is connected to the artist's ability to convey his or her passion.

Where can you purchase sacred art?
Sacred artwork doesn't only belong to the church or religious space alone. You can add sacred art to your homes like the living room, bedroom, and other spaces that you feel need some artistic value. They will give your space a sense of religious value and reflect your religious belief. Your visitors will be entertained by what they see.

Check out the HolyArt website for fascinating sacred artworks. They are affordable and would add extra value to your living space. You will like what you see.