Bible art

Biblical art with Scripture and historical context.

Explore public-domain biblical artwork alongside the Bible stories, passages, artists, and historical notes that give each image its meaning.

Why Biblical Art Matters

Biblical art preserves centuries of interpretation. A painting does not replace Scripture, but it shows how artists, churches, patrons, and cultures have pictured the stories.

How to Read the Image

Look for posture, light, setting, gestures, and what moment the artist chose. Those decisions often reveal what the artist thought the passage was really about.

Public-Domain Sources

Vesper uses public-domain and open-access works from museum and archive collections, with source links so each image can be traced back to its record.

Read a brief history of biblical art

Featured Old Testament art

Genesis, Exodus, and the nations

Tower of Babel

Genesis 11

Tower of Babel

Explore Bruegel's Tower of Babel with Genesis context, art history notes, and links to the Bible story.

Genesis 1-2

Creation of Adam

See Michelangelo's Creation of Adam with Bible context, art history notes, and links to Genesis in Vesper.

Genesis 6-9

Noah's Ark

Explore Edward Hicks's Noah's Ark with Genesis context, art history notes, and links to the Bible story.

Exodus 14

Crossing the Red Sea

Explore public-domain art of Moses and Israel crossing the Red Sea with Exodus context and Bible links.

Exodus 20

Ten Commandments

See Moses with the Ten Commandments in public-domain art with Exodus context and Bible reading links.

Caravaggio painting of Abraham, Isaac, the angel, and the ram

Genesis 22

Sacrifice of Isaac

See Caravaggio's Sacrifice of Isaac with Genesis context, Bible links, and art history notes.

Genesis 1-2

Creation of Adam

See Michelangelo's Creation of Adam with Bible context, art history notes, and links to Genesis in Vesper.

Caravaggio painting of David holding the head of Goliath

1 Samuel 17

David and Goliath

Explore public-domain biblical art of David and Goliath with Bible context and artist notes.

Genesis 6-9

Noah's Ark

Explore Edward Hicks's Noah's Ark with Genesis context, art history notes, and links to the Bible story.

Luke 15:11-32

Prodigal Son

See Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal Son with Bible context, art history notes, and Vesper reading links.

Rubens painting of Daniel praying among lions in the lions' den

Daniel 6

Daniel in the Lions' Den

See Rubens's Daniel in the Lions' Den with Bible context, art history notes, and links to Daniel 6.

Jonah 1-4

Jonah

Explore Michelangelo's Jonah with Bible context, art history notes, and links to the book of Jonah.

Giotto fresco of the Nativity showing Mary, Joseph, the infant Jesus, angels, and attendants

Luke 2

Birth of Jesus

Explore Giotto's Nativity with Bible context, art history notes, and links to Luke 2.

Luke 10:25-37

Good Samaritan

Explore Van Gogh's Good Samaritan with biblical context, art history notes, and links to Luke 10.

Velazquez painting of Christ on the cross against a dark background

John 19

Crucifixion

See public-domain biblical art of the Crucifixion with Gospel context and art history notes.

Piero della Francesca fresco of Christ rising from the tomb with sleeping guards below

Matthew 28

Resurrection

Explore Piero della Francesca's Resurrection with Gospel context, art history notes, and Bible links.

Exodus 14

Moses

Explore public-domain artwork connected to Moses with Exodus context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

James Tissot illustration of Cain leading Abel toward death

Genesis 4

Cain and Abel

Explore public-domain biblical art of Cain and Abel with Genesis context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Genesis 11

Tower of Babel

Explore Bruegel's Tower of Babel with Genesis context, art history notes, and links to the Bible story.

Genesis 22

Sacrifice of Isaac

See Caravaggio's Sacrifice of Isaac with Genesis context, Bible links, and art history notes.

Exodus 14

Crossing the Red Sea

Explore public-domain art of Moses and Israel crossing the Red Sea with Exodus context and Bible links.

Exodus 20

Ten Commandments

See Moses with the Ten Commandments in public-domain art with Exodus context and Bible reading links.

Rubens painting of Samson asleep as Delilah and others cut his hair

Judges 16

Samson and Delilah

Explore Rubens's Samson and Delilah with Judges context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Painting of Ruth gleaning in the field of Boaz

Ruth 2

Ruth and Boaz

Explore Ruth and Boaz in public-domain biblical art with Bible context and reading links.

Artemisia Gentileschi painting of Esther fainting before King Ahasuerus

Esther 5

Esther Before Ahasuerus

See Artemisia Gentileschi's Esther before Ahasuerus with Bible context, historical notes, and Vesper links.

Illustration of Elijah challenging the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel

1 Kings 18

Elijah on Mount Carmel

Explore Elijah on Mount Carmel in public-domain art with Bible context and links to 1 Kings 18.

James Tissot painting of Jesus walking on the sea toward the disciples

Matthew 14

Jesus Walks on Water

Explore public-domain art of Jesus walking on water with Gospel context and Bible links.

Rembrandt painting of Jesus raising Lazarus from the tomb

John 11

Raising of Lazarus

Explore Rembrandt's Raising of Lazarus with John 11 context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Luke 22

Last Supper

Explore Leonardo da Vinci's Last Supper with Gospel context, art history notes, and Bible links.

Caravaggio painting of Thomas examining the wound in Christ's side

John 20

Doubting Thomas

Explore Caravaggio's Incredulity of Saint Thomas with John 20 context and art history notes.

Caravaggio painting of Saul fallen beneath a horse at his conversion

Acts 9

Conversion of Paul

Explore Caravaggio's Conversion of Saint Paul with Acts 9 context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Acts 2

Pentecost

Explore El Greco's Pentecost with Acts 2 context, art history notes, and Bible links.

Fra Angelico fresco of Gabriel announcing the birth of Jesus to Mary

Luke 1

Annunciation

Explore Fra Angelico's Annunciation with Luke 1 context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Botticelli painting of the Magi adoring the infant Jesus

Matthew 2

Adoration of the Magi

Explore Botticelli's Adoration of the Magi with Matthew 2 context and art history notes.

Verrocchio and Leonardo painting of John baptizing Jesus

Matthew 3

Baptism of Christ

Explore Verrocchio and Leonardo's Baptism of Christ with Gospel context and artist notes.

Raphael painting of Christ transfigured above the disciples

Matthew 17

Transfiguration

Explore Raphael's Transfiguration with Gospel context, art history notes, and Bible links.

Mantegna painting of Jesus praying in Gethsemane while disciples sleep

Matthew 26

Agony in the Garden

Explore Mantegna's Agony in the Garden with Gethsemane context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Giotto fresco of Mary, Joseph, and the child Jesus fleeing into Egypt

Matthew 2

Flight into Egypt

Explore Giotto's Flight into Egypt with Matthew 2 context, history notes, and Bible links.

Painting of Joseph being sold by his brothers

Genesis 37

Joseph Sold by His Brothers

Explore Joseph sold by his brothers with Genesis context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Caravaggio painting of Christ being carried to the tomb

John 19

Entombment of Christ

Explore Caravaggio's Entombment of Christ with Gospel context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Painting of Christ standing before Pilate and a gathered crowd

John 18

Christ Before Pilate

Explore Christ before Pilate with Gospel context, historical notes, and links to John 18.

Matthew 13

Parable of the Sower

Explore Bruegel's Landscape with the Parable of the Sower with Gospel context and Bible reading links.

Matthew 5-7

Sermon on the Mount

Explore Carl Bloch's Sermon on the Mount with Matthew 5 context, art history notes, and Bible reading links.

Ivan Kramskoy painting of Christ seated alone in the wilderness

Matthew 4

Temptation of Christ

Explore Ivan Kramskoy's Christ in the Wilderness with Gospel context and Bible reading links.

John 4

Woman at the Well

Explore Duccio's Christ and the Samaritan Woman with John 4 context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Giotto fresco of Jesus entering Jerusalem as crowds spread garments and branches

Matthew 21

Triumphal Entry

Explore Giotto's Entry into Jerusalem with Palm Sunday context, historical notes, and Bible links.

Illustration of Jesus washing Peter's feet while disciples look on

John 13

Washing the Disciples' Feet

Explore public-domain art of Jesus washing Peter's feet with John 13 context and Bible links.

El Greco painting of Christ healing a blind man before a gathered crowd

John 9

Healing the Blind

Explore El Greco's Christ Healing the Blind with Gospel context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Rembrandt painting of Christ and the disciples in a boat during a violent storm

Mark 4

Calming the Storm

Explore Rembrandt's Christ in the Storm on the Lake of Galilee with Gospel context and Bible links.

Painting of Jesus driving merchants and money changers from the temple

John 2

Cleansing the Temple

Explore public-domain art of Jesus cleansing the temple with Gospel context and Bible reading links.

Mark 5

Raising Jairus' Daughter

Explore Gabriel Max's Raising of the Daughter of Jairus with Gospel context and Bible links.

Lucas Cranach painting of Christ blessing children while adults gather around

Mark 10

Jesus Blessing the Children

Explore Lucas Cranach the Elder's Christ Blessing the Children with Gospel context and Bible links.

John 2

Wedding at Cana

Explore Veronese's Wedding at Cana with John 2 context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

James Tissot watercolor of Jesus feeding the crowd with loaves and fishes

John 6

Feeding the Five Thousand

Explore James Tissot's Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes with Gospel context and Bible links.

Caravaggio painting of the risen Christ being recognized at supper in Emmaus

Luke 24

Supper at Emmaus

Explore Caravaggio's Supper at Emmaus with Luke 24 context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Rembrandt painting of Christ ascending as disciples look upward

Acts 1

Ascension of Christ

Explore Rembrandt's Ascension of Christ with Luke 24 and Acts 1 context and Bible links.

Titian painting of Mary Magdalene reaching toward the risen Christ in the garden

John 20

Noli Me Tangere

Explore Titian's Noli Me Tangere with John 20 context, Mary Magdalene notes, and Bible links.

Matthew 25

Wise and Foolish Virgins

Explore William Blake's Wise and Foolish Virgins with Matthew 25 context and Bible links.

Illustration of the Pharisee and the publican praying in the temple

Luke 18

Pharisee and Publican

Explore public-domain art of the Pharisee and the publican with Luke 18 context and Bible links.

Luke 16

Rich Man and Lazarus

Explore the parable of the rich man and Lazarus with Luke 16 context, art history notes, and Bible links.

John 10

Good Shepherd

Explore Good Shepherd imagery with John 10 context, historical notes, and Bible reading links.

Luke 24

Road to Emmaus

Explore public-domain art of the road to Emmaus with Luke 24 context and Bible links.

Delacroix painting of Jacob wrestling with the angel

Genesis 32

Jacob Wrestling the Angel

Explore Jacob wrestling the angel with Genesis 32 context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Poussin painting of Rebecca and women at the well

Genesis 24

Rebecca at the Well

Explore Rebecca at the well with Genesis 24 context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Painting of Miriam watching as Moses is found in the bulrushes

Exodus 2

Finding of Moses

Explore the finding of Moses with Exodus 2 context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Rembrandt painting of Simeon holding the infant Jesus in the temple

Luke 2

Presentation in the Temple

Explore the Presentation in the Temple with Luke 2 context, artist notes, and Vesper reading links.

Giotto fresco of mourners gathered around the dead Christ

John 19

Lamentation of Christ

Explore Giotto's Lamentation with Passion context, artist notes, and Bible reading links.

Luke 1

The Visitation

Explore the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth with Luke 1 context, medieval sculpture, and Bible reading links.

Andrea Mantegna painting of shepherds adoring the newborn Christ

Luke 2

Adoration of the Shepherds

Explore the shepherds visiting the newborn Christ with Luke 2 context, Renaissance art, and Bible links.

Charles Joseph Natoire painting of Adam and Eve confronted after the fall

Genesis 3

Expulsion from Eden

See biblical art of Adam and Eve driven from Eden with Genesis context, artist notes, and Bible links.

Painted enamel showing Jacob asleep beneath his dream of heaven

Genesis 28

Jacob's Ladder

Explore Jacob's ladder and dream at Bethel with Genesis context, art notes, and reader links.

Joshua 6

Walls of Jericho

See the fall of Jericho in biblical art with Joshua context, public-domain artwork, and Bible links.

Painted enamel of Solomon judging between two women and a child

1 Kings 3

Judgment of Solomon

Explore the Judgment of Solomon with 1 Kings context, art history notes, and Bible reading links.

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert engraving of Balaam stopped by the angel

Numbers 22

Balaam and the Angel

See Balaam, the donkey, and the angel in biblical art with Numbers context and Bible links.

Ezekiel 37

Valley of Dry Bones

Explore Ezekiel's vision of dry bones with prophetic context, public-domain artwork, and Bible links.

Exodus 3

Burning Bush

Explore Moses and the burning bush with Exodus context, open-access art, and Bible reader links.

Medieval illuminated manuscript showing Daniel's vision of the four beasts and the Ancient of Days

Daniel 7

Daniel's Four Beasts

See Daniel's vision of the four beasts with Daniel 7 context, artwork notes, and Bible links.