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Religion and spirituality is a continuity in humanity, found in almost every region in the world. The artworks presented here display the theme of spirituality in their respective cultures. The temple of Amun-Re was a place of worship for the Egyptians over many Dynasties. Its hypostyle hall helps immerse the worshipper in a field of reeds in a river, a key part of Egyptian spiritual beliefs. The Roman Pantheon was used for a variety of spiritual purposes. It was originally a place of worship for the pagan gods of Rome. Additionally, its oculus created a beam of light which further amplified the spirituality of the building. San Vitale, an early Byzantine church, connects to this theme of spirituality as also being a place where believers of Christianity congregate to worship their God.  Similarly, the Great Mosque at Isfahan is a complex which allows the followers of Islam to worship Muhammad. More examples of places of worship connecting to spirituality are Lakshmana Temple and Todai-Ji, Hindu and Buddhist. Both of these places focus more on individual worship and spirituality, as the design of Lakshmana accombates for one person and how Todai-ji utilizes Buddist beliefs to help their followers achieve spiritual enlightenment. All of the works relate to the central theme of spiritually because they allow their followers to connect with their gods at a spiritual level.

Not all works that have a theme of spirituality are places/structures of worship. The Power figure, for instance, is of spiritual importance to the Kongo Peoples because when activated the figure is able to release its spiritual energy to those around, blessing them. Another example is the Ecstasy of Saint Teresa by Bernini. This sculpture shows a saint and an angel with golden rays above. The visuals invoke a sense of spirituality and prayer, hence, its placement within a church. In the Americas, the rulers’ headdress signified the political and spiritual power of the Aztec ruler. In their culture, the ruler of the Aztecs descended from the gods whose spiritual power is displayed by the large feather headdress worn. Finally, spirituality is also seen in mixed-media in the 20th century. Pure Land by Mariko Mori, shows a very peaceful and mystical land with a figure, her, in the middle. It is supposed to represent enlightenment in Buddhist tradition, specifically Zen Buddhism.

Ultimately whether through great architectural works such as the Pantheon or interesting media like Pure Land, the central theme of spirituality can be imagined in any way in art.

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Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Cornaro Chapel, Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. Rome, Italy. Gian Lorenzo Bernini. c. 1647–1652 CE. Marble (sculpture); stucco and gilt bronze (chapel).

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Ecstasy of Saint Teresa Cornaro Chapel, Church of Santa Maria della Vittoria. Rome, Italy. Gian Lorenzo Bernini. c. 1647–1652 CE. Marble (sculpture); stucco and gilt bronze (chapel).

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Pure Land Mariko Mori. 1998 CE. Color photograph on glass.

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Pure Land Mariko Mori. 1998 CE. Color photograph on glass.

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Pantheon. Imperial Roman. 118-125 CE. Concrete with stone facing.

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Pantheon. Imperial Roman. 118-125 CE. Concrete with stone facing.

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Power figure (Nkisi n’kondi ) Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. late 19th century CE. Wood and metal.

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Power figure (Nkisi n’kondi ) Kongo peoples (Democratic Republic of the Congo). c. late 19th century CE. Wood and metal.

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Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall. Karnak, near Luxor, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th and 19th Dynasties. Temple. c. 1550 BCE. mud brick 

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Temple of Amun-Re and Hypostyle Hall. Karnak, near Luxor, Egypt. New Kingdom, 18th and 19th Dynasties. Temple. c. 1550 BCE. mud brick 

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San Vitale. Ravenna Italy. Early Byzantine Europe.c. 526-547 CE. Brick, marble, and stone veneer; mosaic.

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San Vitale. Ravenna Italy. Early Byzantine Europe.c. 526-547 CE. Brick, marble, and stone veneer; mosaic.

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Lakshmana Temple. Khajuraho, India. Hindu, Chandella Dynasty. c. 930-950 CE. Sandstone.

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Lakshmana Temple. Khajuraho, India. Hindu, Chandella Dynasty. c. 930-950 CE. Sandstone.

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Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)Isfahan, Iran. Islamic, Persian: Seljuk, Il-Khanid, Timurid and Safavid Dynasties. c. 700 CE; additions and restorations in the 14th, 18th, and 20th centuries CE. Stone, brick, wood, plaster, and glazed ceramic tile.

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Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)Isfahan, Iran. Islamic, Persian: Seljuk, Il-Khanid, Timurid and Safavid Dynasties. c. 700 CE; additions and restorations in the 14th, 18th, and 20th centuries CE. Stone, brick, wood, plaster, and glazed ceramic tile.

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Todai-jiNara, Japan. Various artists, including sculptors Unkei and Keikei, as well as the Kei School. 743 CE; rebuilt c. 1700 CE. Bronze and wood (sculpture); wood with ceramic-tile roofing (architecture).

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Todai-jiNara, Japan. Various artists, including sculptors Unkei and Keikei, as well as the Kei School. 743 CE; rebuilt c. 1700 CE. Bronze and wood (sculpture); wood with ceramic-tile roofing (architecture).

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https://smarthistory.org/temple-of-amun-re-and-the-hypostyle-hall-karnak/

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/baroque-art1/baroque-italy/a/bernini-ecstasy-of-saint-teresa

https://smarthistory.org/mariko-mori-pure-land/

https://smarthistory.org/the-pantheon/

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/africa-apah/central-africa-apah/a/nkisi-nkondi

https://smarthistory.org/feathered-headdress-aztec/

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/south-east-se-asia/japan-art/a/todai-ji

https://smarthistory.org/the-great-mosque-or-masjid-e-jameh-of-isfahan/

https://smarthistory.org/lakshmana-temple/

https://smarthistory.org/san-vitale/

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Ruler’s feather headdress (probably of Motecuhzoma II) Mexica (Aztec). 1428–1520 CE. Feathers (quetzal and cotinga) and gold.

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Ruler’s feather headdress (probably of Motecuhzoma II) Mexica (Aztec). 1428–1520 CE. Feathers (quetzal and cotinga) and gold.