Lamb of God Agnus Dei Artwork and Paintings

Collected by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
Part of JesusWalk -- Behold the Lamb of God

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Ontario, Canada, church doorway, Behold the Lamb of God, mosaic with gilded sun above Lamb.
The Agnus Dei or Lamb of God symbol, typically shows a lamb, holding a cross or a flag. The Agnus Dei probably goes back to 5th century Rome. Discs of wax imprinted with the lamb, blessed by the Pope, were used from the ninth century, and probably earlier. 

One of the few Christian symbols dating from the first century is that of the Good Shepherd carrying on His shoulders a lamb or a sheep, with two other sheep at his side. Between the first and the fourth century eighty-eight frescoes of this type were depicted in the Roman catacombs.


San Vitale, Ravenna (begun 532, consecrated 547A.D), Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Detail of  Central Medallion, large photo, detailed image.

In the Agnus Dei symbol, the lamb was used to symbolize innocence and was also a sacrificial animal.  the Agnus Dei, or Lamb of God, is an ancient symbol of Christ and His sacrifice. The cross stands for Christ's victory over sin and death. Biblical references include John 1:29 and Revelation 14. In ancient examples of the Agnus Dei may be seen lying upon the Book of Seven Seals or carrying the Banner of Victory. It must be crowned with a three-rayed nimbus or halo, signifying that it is a symbol of divinity. In other examples the Lamb stands upon a hill from which flow the Four Rivers of Paradise, signifying the Four Gospels. 

In Christian symbolism, the lamb represents Jesus, "the Lamb of God." Standing with a banner, the lamb represents the risen Christ triumphant over death. Standing with a cross and a gash in its side, it symbolizes the passion of Christ. Seated on a throne or a book, the lamb represents the judgment of Christ. Because the lamb is humble, gentle, and innocent, lambs are often engraved on the tombstones of children.


Detail. Adoration of the Lamb, by Jan van Eyck (1432), oil on wood, Ghent altarpiece, Cathedral of St. Bavo, Ghent.

Paintings of Lamb of God or Agnus Dei

Woodcuts

Albrecht Durer, detail of Adoration of the Lamb
Detail  of "Adoration of the Lamb"  (1496-98) woodcut by Albrecht Dürer. Larger image.

  

Albrecht Dürer (German painter, 1471-1528), Adoration of the Lamb (1496-98), woodcut in Apocalypse of St. John series, each 39 x 28cm.

Sculpture, carving, statue of Lamb of God

Piero della Francesca (1416-1492), Resurrection of Christ (1463-65), Mural in fresco and tempera, 225 x 200 cm, Pinacoteca Comunale, Sansepolcro 

Painting of Scene with John the Baptist pointing to Jesus as the Lamb of God

Dieric Bouts (AD 1410-1475), "Ecce Agnus Dei", (1462/64), Holz, 53,8 x 41,2 cm Erworben 1989 mit Unterstützung der Kulturstiftung der Länder.

Agnus Dei Stained Glass Windows


  • Tim McClure, Agnus Dei window

    Dollis Hill, London, Ecce Agnus Dei, by Margaret Edith Rope ("Tor")
  • Croydon, All Saints, Agnus Dei.
  • William Morris workshop, Agnus Dei, St John the Baptist, Needham Market, Suffolk
  • John Henry Dearle, William Morris and Company, n.d. Agnus Dei, graphite and watercolor.
  • Les Vitraux II, stained glass Agnus Dei window with John the Baptist and a lamb.
  • Jesus the Lamb of God, All Saints Episcopal Church, San Francisco, CA.
  • Memorah and Lamb of God Windows at Immanuel Seymor
  • The Lamb of God window, beside the Sacred Heart Altar, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, Munich Studios  stained glass, Wyandotte, Michigan
  • Curtis Graphics, Lamb of God window
  • Lamb on sacrificial altar window, unknown location.
  • Lamb bleeding into the Holy Chalice, carrying the vexillum, Stained glass showing Lamb of God with vexillum and chalice, from chapel that used to be part of a convent (now a Baptist church and school complex) in El Cajon, California
  • Stained Glass Agnus Dei - found in the Cathedral of Florence (Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore), Italy
  • Lamb with Cross Stained Glass Duomo Basilica Cathedral, Church Florence Italy

Mosaic of Lamb of God altar of little chapel Capella Pinardi, Turin, Italy.Mosaic

  • Mosaic of Lamb of God altar of little chapel Capella Pinardi, Turin, Italy.
  • San Vitale, Ravenna (begun 532, consecrated 547A.D), Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) Detail of  Central Medallion, large photo, detailed image.
  • Ontario, Canada, church doorway, Behold the Lamb of God, mosaic with gilded sun above Lamb.

  • Floor of Nativity of Mary Blessed Virgin Catholic Church, Schulenburg, Texas, Lamb of God.

  • Mosaic vault showing the Lamb of God, the Patriarchs and the Prophets, above the Main Altar of the Florence Baptistery, Italy. 13th and 14th centuries.

Miscellaneous

  • Tile Agnus Dei, at St. Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh.
  • Reliquary Casket with the Lamb of God and a Personification of the Church, French (Limoges)
    About 1185-95, Champlevé enamel on copper, Width 15.4 cm x height 14.5 cm x depth 6.9 cm
    Private collection
  • Lamb with Vexillum (flag-like object used as a military standard by units in the Ancient Roman army)

Iconography of the Agnus Dei

 

Part of JesusWalk -- Behold the Lamb of God

Copyright © 2024, Ralph F. Wilson. <pastor@joyfulheart.com> All rights reserved. A single copy of this article is free. Do not put this on a website. See legal, copyright, and reprint information.

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