Couchman - The art of faith : a guide to understanding Christian images

PRAISE FOR THE ART OF FAITH

Prompted by the conviction that attention to images can enrich the life of the spirit, Couchman has produced an enormously useful and beautifully written resource for beginners and experts alike. This work is permeated with the love of art that has been enlivened by a deep faith.

ROBIN MARGARET JENSEN

Professor of the History of Christian Art and Worship, Vanderbilt University; Author, Understanding Early Christian Art and The Substance of Things Seen: Art, Faith and the Christian Community

In recent years, we have witnessed renewed interest in the visual arts, across a broad range of denominations. There is a palpable longing for art to once again enrich the teaching and worship of local church communities. With this encouraging opportunity comes a considerable challenge: the need for a renewed understanding of the rich heritage of Christian art and symbols that, in our secular age, has been mostly lost. Judith Couchmans well-researched and thoughtfully conceived book meets that need and offers practical help to those who are about the work of returning the gift of art to the Church.

CAMERON J. ANDERSON

Executive Director, CIVA | Christians in the Visual Arts

Packed full of information, lucidly written, and clearly laid out. If you have a question about the meaning of something in a work of Christian art, this book probably has an answer. A must-have reference on Christian art for teachers and students alike.

AIDAN HART

Iconographer, Author of Techniques of Icon and Wall Painting, and Assistant Illustrator for The Saint Johns Bible

Judith Couchmans The Art of Faith is an invaluable reference tool and museum companion for anyone with an interest in Christian art. Old and New Testament biblical characters and other personages from the world of faith are sorted out. Symbols and the use of colors are explicated and the church year is made clear. But this only touches the surface, for the heart of the book as a reference tool is found in the great art that is cited. Each person, symbol, color, and sacrament is paired with an example from art history and where it can be found. These examples are drawn from the rich storehouses of Christian art in museums, both great and small, churches, libraries, and even the catacombsanywhere one might find the very best that Christian art, from its beginnings through the seventeenth century, has to offer. These examples number into the hundreds. And yet the book is accessible for those with only a cursory question as well as for those with more scholarly concerns. For those of us who work professionally with Christian iconography in the twenty-first century, The Art of Faith is a book to be kept close at hand.

EDWARD KNIPPERS

Visual Artist

Where was this book when I was an art student in college? In great detail, Judith Couchman gives the reader an opportunity to trace sacred art from the third century forward. She explains the figures and their contribution to beauty. Judith also teaches us what questions to ask as we view Christian art today, making what were seeing more personal. In other words, the study of art as it relates to faith becomes accessible because we understand what were looking at and that understanding makes us want to share it with everyone we know.

LUCI SWINDOLL

Author of Simple Secrets to a Happy Life

The Art of Faith: A Guide to Understanding Christian Images

2012 First Printing

Text copyright 2012 by Judy C. Couchman (Judith).

Illustrations by Anne Elhajoui and Khaleelah Elhajoui; illustrations copyright 2012 by Judy C. Couchman (Judith), Anne Elhajoui, and Khaleelah Elhajoui.

ISBN 978-1-55725-630-0

Unless otherwise noted all scriptural references are taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture references marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture references marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.

Scripture references marked DRA are taken from the Douay-Rheims Version of the Holy Bible.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA

Couchman, Judith, 1953

The art of faith : a guide to understanding Christian images / Judith Couchman.

pages cm

Includes index.

Summary: Judith Couchman, art history instructor at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, unfolds the fascinating (and sometimes mysterious) world of Christian imagery through the ages. This comprehensive guidebook is practical and easy to read, and includes illustrationsProvided by publisher.

ISBN 978-1-55725-630-0 (pbk.)

1. Christian art and symbolism. I. Title.

N8010.C68 2012

704.9'482dc23

2012005604

10987654321

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in an electronic retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any otherexcept for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.

Published by Paraclete Press

Brewster, Massachusetts

www.paracletepress.com

Printed in the United States of America

CONTENTS

FOR

Laurel,

MY ARTISTIC FRIEND.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Hardly anyone writes a book alone. Authors devote many solitary hours to researching and writing texts, but usually informal support teams back them up. For this book supporters encouraged and prayed for me; helped research and compose the first draft; reviewed the ever-changing manuscript; listened to my doubts and difficulties; and offered gentle advice and realistic perspectives. Im grateful beyond words for their input.

A small group of womensome I havent met in personprayed me through the tedious research and revisions. Beth, Kathe, Nichole, Rosalie, Shirley, and Wendy, thanks for the immeasurable value of your intercession.

When I felt pressed for time, Mona and Nicole researched and wrote rough drafts for selected parts of the book. Thanks to both of you for bringing talent, diligence, and humility to these tasks. You each deserve a byline. Laurel also enhanced the manuscript by critiquing definitions and bolstering limited knowledge in some areas. Anne, Im honored that once again you contributed your abundant artistic gifts to one of my books, and included Khaleelah in the process. Jan and Mary, thanks for your careful help with the index.

Beth, Mary, Melinda, and Nancy, thanks for listening to my process and offering advice. Kathe, our weekly phone conversations about purpose and writing inspired and strengthened me. Jeanette, your faith and insights comforted me when I had to cut the original manuscript in half. And many thanks to Lil for believing in this project from the beginning, plus the Paraclete team of Anna, Jon, Maura, and Robert.

Finally, I thank my art-history students and the congregation at Grace and Saint Stephens Episcopal Church. Both groups inspire me to keep learning and researching. In turn, I hope this resource enhances their appreciation of Christian art.

INTRODUCTION

But what does this image mean?

Long before I studied art history, I gazed at ancient Christian art and asked this question. Although an editor and writer by profession, I migrated toward art, visiting museums while traveling and taking advantage of exhibits in my hometown. I bounded up the steps at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Metropolitan Museum of Art, looked at every painting and sculpture possible, and eventually wound up stumped.