THE religious art represents a form of artistic expression that is closely related to religiosity and the sacred.
Called “liturgical vestments” and “liturgical clothing” (garments and accessories), it comprises all sacred ornamentation.
Highlights include the architecture of churches and temples, sculptures of saints, panels on the ceilings of churches, paintings, engravings, frescoes, stained glass, mosaics, drawings of biblical passages, liturgical utensils, garments, etc.
Currently, we can find museums with works of Sacred Art in all parts of the world. In Brazil, sacred art was the first manifestation in the colonial period, being cripple one of the most important names in Sacred Art, in the context of Minas Gerais baroque.
It is worth remembering that sacred art, like other artistic manifestations, is a reflection of history and culture.
Thus, it does not have a defined style, as it depends on the time produced as well as the culture in which it is inserted.
Sacred art is used by different religions and beliefs, for example: Christian art, Buddhist art, Islamic art, Baroque religious art, etc.
Difference between Religious Art and Sacred Art
Although the concept of religious art and sacred art come together, there is an essential difference that defines them.
- religious art: brings together artistic works of a religious nature and can be represented by sculptures of saints and paintings of biblical passages, for example. These manifestations are generally outside the places of religious cults and rituals.
- Religious art: works of religious content that are related to rituals. Its function is to adorn the places where religious rites and celebrations take place. Thus, they involve the feelings of religiosity and faith of the faithful involved, mediated by a sacred environment called “liturgical space”.
In short, both have a religious theme and are intended to adorn the spaces. However, sacred art is produced to be part of divine cults or religious rituals.
Thus, it is made exclusively to be enjoyed at services. Therefore, this specific type of art is related to the places where they occur.
In this way, we can conclude that sacred art arises from religious art. Soon, all sacred art is religious, however, not all religious art can be considered sacred.
As an example, we can think of the fresco "The last supper” (1495-1497) by the Renaissance painter Leonardo Da Vinci. This work can be found in the Church and Convent of Santa Maria da Graça in Milan.
If it is located in a place related to sacred cults, it is considered a sacred art.
Museum of Sacred Art
In Brazil, the Museum of Sacred Art, located in the city of São Paulo, is one of the most influential in this area. The place is considered one of the most important in the country and in the American continent.
Founded in 1970, it brings together several works, such as sculptures, paintings, furniture and structures (altars, oratories, etc.). In addition, it houses a large library that includes thousands of volumes on the subject.
Curiosity
“Liturgy” is a masculine noun of Greek origin. The term is related to the religious service performed by some representative of the Church (priests, bishops, apostles).
In other words, the liturgy represents the union of practices developed in the rites and ceremonies relating to divine offices.
To learn more about the concept, go to: What is Art?
