Religion Through the Arts

Religion through the Arts Essay
“Religious art is that which depicts biblical themes” this is a common misconception by many, because religious art is much more than just biblical themes. ‘What is Religious Art’, an article written by F. Thomas Trotter, explores religious art and how it can be clearly defined. “The most common definition is that religious art is that which depicts biblical themes”, however, it is much more than just this. F. Thomas Trotter (1987) His article questions and consequently scrutinises, the common misconception that artwork can only be classed as religious artwork, if it contains biblical themes. As Trotter explains in his article, religious art is much more than this. The Catechism of the Catholic Church further extends on this notion. The Catechism explains that ‘Sacred art is true and beautiful when it evokes faith and adoration’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, article 2502). Additionally, religious artworks are not restricted to location or craftsmanship. This can be seen with three varying religious artworks, each formed and constructed differently. Moreover, each artwork has attachments to different religions, which is important, as other religions such as Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism do not view the bible as a sacred text. The artworks that particularly express this is the natural wonder of Adam’s Peak located in Sri Lanka; the Mosque of Kairouan, located in Tunisia and ‘The weighing of the heart’ from the Ancient Egyptians. Therefore any artwork has the potential to be considered religious art whether or not it contains biblical themes, provided it evokes faith and adoration or expresses core messages of that particular culture, religion, or God.
One artwork in particular that evokes the notions of faith and adoration is the natural wonder that is Adam’s Peak or Sri Pada as it is known locally is located in Sri Lanka, Adam’s Peak (see appendix 1) has become not only one of the country’s most recognisable structures but one...