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So many Christian paintings have been depicted but none as moving, or as forbidding, as Durer's series, 15 in all, about the end of the world. While not necessarily a painting, these large scale four horsemen apocalypse illustrations are enough to rouse uncertainty in the minds of its viewers.
Religion Expressed in Christian Paintings
Art has always been a part of Christian or religious expression. Most of the world's religions have used art to instruct, inspire feelings of devotion, and to impress and convert non-believers.
Such is the case with Christianity. In fact, the Church commissioned craftsmen to tell stories about Christ and the saints in paintings, murals and stained-glass windows.
Christian teachings were most effective to preaching if there were visuals presented to the audience. In the same manner, Christian artworks were also used to frighten sinners into complying with the teachings of the Church.
This is clearly seen in several variations and versions of the Revelation, whereby the 4 horsemen of God announce the coming of the Apocalypse, the end. Many representations of divinity were signified in Christian artworks such as the eye, the dove, the fish, the ship or the shepherd.
The 4 horsemen represented in the Apocalypse also symbolize the coming of Christ's evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
It is no wonder why, during the Renaissance when Divinity and Christianity were such precious ideals; there were countless paintings about religion, with some being priceless treasures of certain Christian orders.
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