The artistic traditions of four major Christian denominations are examined and outlined in detail in this groundbreaking volume that presents the first synthesis of the artistic contributions of those traditions. Diane Apostolos-Cappadona has curated a volume that presents four single-authored contributions in one place, broadening the study of Christian art beyond Roman Catholic, Orthodox and 'protestant' traditions to consider these more recent Christian approaches in close and expert detail.
Rachel Epp Buller examines art in the Mennonite tradition, Mormon art is considered by Heather Belnap, Quaker contributions by Rowena Loverance and Swedenborgian art by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona. Each writer presents elements of the theology of their chosen tradition through the prism of the artists and artistic works that they have selected. Alongside mainstream artistic figures such as William Blake less known figures come to the fore and the volume features color illustrations that support and underline the theological and artistic themes presented in each section of the book. Together these studies of artistic presentations in these four traditions will be a much need means of filling a gap in the study of Christian art.
"The artistic traditions of four major Christian denominations (Mennonite, Mormon, Quaker, Swedenborgian) are studied and presented in expert detail in this richly illustrated volume"--
In commenting on a painting by the artist, William Page, Elizabeth Barrett Browning once described him as "an earnest, simple, noble artist and man, who carries his Christianity down from his deep heart to the point of his brush." In many ways, this describes the effort of every visionary artist, in whatever religious tradition they follow. In this well-written, meticulously researched, and highly informative book, Apostolos-Cappadona provides abundant evidence that art is much more than "art for art's sake." It is the timeless quest to capture in visual imagery, the spiritual nature of material existence. As the writer Joseph Conrad once said, "My task which I am trying to achieve is, by the power of the written word to make you hear, to make you feel-it is, before all, to make you see." This has been the task of every artist, including the Christian visionaries that are included in this volume. Each, in their own way, endeavored to transmit to others the visions of spiritual beauty they beheld within and behind physical existence. In addition to being an important contribution to the history of art, this book will be an inspiration to all who read it.
