Art

The Latest

A triptych of Pentecost with Mary at the center in the Temple by Mattie Karr at Holy Name Parish in Kansas City, Kansas.

Art as a leap of faith: Kansas artist quits job to paint murals to revitalize parish

Feb 22, 2024

By Kate Quiñones

Mattie Karr took a leap of faith into full-time sacred art beginning with two 15-foot-tall triptychs of the descent of... Read more

Caravaggio’s “Conversion on the Way to Damascus,” 1601.

Caravaggio painted two masterpieces of St. Paul’s conversion — why?

Jan 25, 2024

By Daniel Payne

On the feast of the conversion of St. Paul, we look at the mystery behind Caravaggio’s two famous paintings of... Read more

Bernini's baldacchino at the papal Mass on Jan. 1, 2024.

Vatican announces major restoration project in St. Peter’s Basilica

Jan 11, 2024

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced on Thursday that the soaring baldacchino over the main altar of St. Peter’s Basilica will undergo a... Read more

“Christ Carrying the Cross” by Titian (1490–1576).

Vatican announces art contest for Stations of the Cross to be displayed in St. Peter’s Basilica

Dec 29, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican has announced an art competition in which your paintings can be displayed inside of St. Peter’s Basilica. Read more

At the opening reception for the Ricci Center's "On The Road" exhibit in the School of Theology and Ministry Library was held in June 2023.

Boston College exhibit showcases Catholic faith in rural China

Sep 24, 2023

By Rosanne Pellegrini

The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History presents an exhibition by world-renowned photographer Lü Nan. Read more

Fra Angelico's "The Crucifixion with the Virgin, Saint John, and the Magdalen at the Foot of the Cross"

Fra Angelico’s rare painting of the Crucifixion fetches record price at Christie’s auction house

Jul 7, 2023

By Lucien de Guise

Beatified by Pope John Paul II, Fra Angelico is already a saint for art collectors. His painting of the Christ... Read more

David Troncoso stands in his art studio with an altarpiece he recently completed.

Award-winning artist David Troncoso on life in a camper van, the Renaissance, and learning from the masters

Nov 27, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Sacred artist David Troncoso paints in the Renaissance style with DaVinci, Michelangelo, and Rafael as his guides. His art, he... Read more

A portrait of Dr. Jorge Vallejo traveled on a boat around Miami as part of The Hero Art Project exhibit earlier this year.

The Hero Art Project connects artists with families of healthcare workers lost to COVID-19

Oct 30, 2021

By Autumn Jones

Daisy Doronilla worked as a nurse at Hudson County Correctional Center for 21 years before she died of COVID-19 on... Read more

One of the 12 altars for perpetual adoration that represent the “crown of 12 stars” on the Virgin Mary’s head blessed by Pope Francis.

Polish artist designs stunning monstrances with Virgin Mary: ‘Beauty leads to God’

Aug 9, 2021

By Katie Yoder

A Polish artisan and jeweler is hoping that his craft leads people to God. After experiencing a miraculous healing, he... Read more

The San Galgano reliquary, stolen in 1989.

Stolen 14th-century reliquary found in police raid of art collector’s home in Sicily

May 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

Barbara Jatta, director of the Vatican Museums, hailed the rediscovery of the reliquary as “a nearly unprecedented find.” Read more

"Angels Unaware" statue dedicated to migrants in St. Peter’s square.

Culture is about ‘creating, not destroying’ says sculptor

Jul 12, 2020

By Christine Rousselle

Timothy Schmalz has been a sculptor for 30 years and is perhaps best known for his “Homeless Jesus” sculpture and... Read more

The Holy Face of Lucca crucifix in the Cathedral of St. Martin.

Scientists confirm Italian crucifix is oldest wooden statue in Europe

Jun 26, 2020

By Courtney Mares

Scientists confirmed this month that a crucifix in the Italian city of Lucca is the oldest wooden statue in Europe.  Read more

Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Fargo.

Catholic teen seeks to inspire neighborhood with Marian sidewalk art

May 7, 2020

By Perry West

A young Catholic artist has drawn an image of the Blessed Virgin Mary on her parents' driveway bringing religious art... Read more

The Sistine Chapel.

Vatican Museums closed until April 3

Mar 8, 2020

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican Museums will be closed until April 3 as a precautionary measure to help prevent the spread of the... Read more

Raffaella Stroik.

Catholic family looks to honor late daughter with a dance

Jan 18, 2020

By Mary Farrow

The family of Raffaella Stroik hopes to honor her memory with a ballet.  Read more

Canadian sculptor Timothy P. Schmalz poses next to his sculpture, 'Angels Unawares.'

'Angels Unawares' - Vatican migration sculpture coming to United States

Dec 17, 2019

By Courtney Mares

In 2019, Pope Francis unveiled a new bronze sculpture in St. Peter’s Square, “Angels Unawares,” a depiction of migrants throughout... Read more

Pope Francis at the Vatican Ethnological Museum Oct. 18, 2019.

Pope Francis at Ethnological Museum: 'Beauty unites us'

Oct 19, 2019

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis paid a visit Friday to the renovated wing of the Vatican Ethnological Museum, which he praised for being... Read more

Rich Varano.

American sculptor humbled to bring sand nativity to Vatican

Dec 5, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

Growing up next door to Daytona Beach in Florida, Rich Varano spent a lot of time making things out of... Read more

(L) Nikolay Yaroshenko. Life is Everywhere. 1888. (R) Dionysius. The Crucifixion. 1500. Copyright: Pilgrimage of Russian Art. From Dionysius to Malevich.

Russian icons, spiritual masterpieces on display at Vatican

Nov 20, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Art, spirituality, beauty,” are the three words Vatican Museums director Barbara Jatta used to describe a visiting exhibition of 54... Read more

This picture shows a Romanesque statue after being 'restored' by a local woman of El Ranadoiro, Spain.

Third 'restoration' of Catholic artwork in Spain sparks outrage, hilarity

Sep 10, 2018

By Mary Farrow

In the third known act of egregious artistic restoration of Spanish Catholic art in recent history, a 15th century statue... Read more