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Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) is the painter who depicted the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was born in Lucca in 1708 and his father was a skilled goldsmith who imposed the family trade on his son. As a youth, Batoni displayed his ability in the engraving and decoration of precious metals however, at 19 years of age, he abandoned his father's workshop in order to study the art of painting in Rome. Once in the Eternal City, the young painter became fascinated by the antique sculptures in and around the Vatican and the frescos by Raphael and Annibale Carracci. Batoni soon became famous due to his ability to copy the classical sculptures. Amongst Batoni's works are some notable portraits that are notable for outlandish hairstyles and impassable compositions, but especially for the psychological penetration of the character and the delicacy of the complexion. Amongst his most well-known are portraits are Emperor Joseph II of Austria and Pope Pius VI.

In 1760 Batoni realised the painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus that was placed in a Chapel in the Jesuit Church of the Gesù in Rome. This work became the official image for the popular devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.

The painting of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was inspired by the apparition of Jesus, under the title of the Sacred Heart, to St Margaret Mary Alacoque (1647-1690). In 1673 on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist Our Lord came to St. Margaret Mary, while she was in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. The saint describes His Sacred Heart with the following words: "The Divine Heart was presented to me in a throne of flames, more resplendent than a sun, transparent as crystal, with this adorable wound. And it was surrounded with a crown of thorns, signifying the punctures made in it by our sins, and a cross above signifying that from the first instant of His Incarnation, [...] the cross was implanted into it [...]."

Batoni represented Christ dressed in a red tunic (which is the colour of blood, of martyrdom and humanity) and a blue mantle (the colour of heaven and of the divine). In the masterpiece, Jesus is young and beautiful with long hair falling down to his shoulders. Christ's face has a short beard whilst his right hand indicates His inflamed heart which is crowned with thorns with a cross on top.

St Margaret's account continues with the words that Jesus said to her, "My Divine Heart is so inflamed with love for men, and for thee in particular that, being unable any longer to contain within Itself the flames of Its burning charity, It needs to spread them abroad by thy means, and manifest itself to them (mankind) in order to enrich them with the precious treasures which I discover to thee, and with contain graces of sanctification and salvation necessary to withdraw them from the abyss of perdition. I have chosen thee as an abyss of unworthiness and ignorance for the accomplishment of this great design, in order that everything may be done by Me." Jesus asked Margaret to place her head on His breast asking her to give Him the gift of her small heart to be placed in the furnace of His Divine Heart, before returning to her inflamed by His love.

The artists skill in painting was able to make Jesus' gaze penetrate the observer of the piece and His right hand invites those who look upon the piece to place their head on Jesus' breast, in the same manner as St John the Evangelist and St Margaret Mary. Upon Jesus' request to give her heart to Him, the nun promptly donated it to be infested with God's passion for humanity.

Looking at the image and reflecting on the fact that Jesus took St Margaret's heart and emerged it in His before returning to her, raises question of who does the heart that Jesus is holding belong to? Is it Jesus' Heart, or alternatively, that of St Margaret's made it similar to His?

We may find the response in the prayer that the Church recites during the Month of June, which is dedicated to the Sacred Heart:
"Jesus meek and humble of heart make my heart like yours"

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The Most Famous Image of the Sacred Heart - Missionaries of Divine Revelation

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Pompeo Batoni (1708-1787) is the painter who depicted the most famous image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He was born in Lucca in 1708 and his father was a skilled goldsmith who imposed the family trade on his son. As a youth, Batoni displayed his ability in the engraving and decoration of precious metals ...

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The Most Famous Painting of Scared Heart Of Jesus

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The Most Famous Painting of Scared Heart Of Jesus

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Jesus died so that humans could have their sins forgiven and receive endless life. ( Romans 6:​23; Ephesians 1:7) Jesus' death also proved that a human can remain loyal to God even when faced with the severest of tests.​- Hebrews 4:​15.

Consider how the death of one man could accomplish so much.

1. Jesus died for "the forgiveness of our sins."​-Colossians 1:​14.

The first human, Adam, was created perfect, without sin. However, he chose to disobey God. Adam's disobedience, or sin, profoundly affected all his descendants. "Through the disobedience of the one man," the Bible explains, "many were made sinners."​- Romans 5:​19.

Jesus was also perfect, but he never sinned. Therefore, he could be "an atoning sacrifice for our sins." ( 1 John 2:2; footnote) Just as Adam's disobedience contaminated the human family with sin, so Jesus' death removed the stain of sin from all who exercise faith in him.

In a sense, Adam sold the human race into sin. Jesus, by willingly dying in our behalf, repurchased humankind as his own. As a result, "if anyone does commit a sin, we have a helper with the Father, Jesus Christ, a righteous one."​- 1 John 2:1.

2. Jesus died "so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."​-John 3:​16.

Although Adam was created to live forever, his sin brought upon him the penalty of death. Through Adam, "sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned."​- Romans 5:​12.

In contrast, Jesus' death not only removed the blemish of sin but also canceled the death sentence for all who exercise faith in him. The Bible sums up matters this way: "Just as sin ruled as king with death, so also undeserved kindness might rule as king through righteousness leading to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord."​- Romans 5:​21.

Of course, humans today still have a limited life span. However, God promises that he will grant righteous humans everlasting life and resurrect the dead so that they too can benefit from Jesus' sacrificial death.​- Psalm 37:29; 1 Corinthians 15:22.

3. Jesus "became obedient to the point of death," thus proving that a human could be faithful to God under any test or trial.​-Philippians 2:8.

Despite having a perfect mind and body, Adam disobeyed God because he selfishly desired something that did not belong to him. ( Genesis 2:​16, 17; 3:6) Later, God's chief enemy, Satan, suggested that no human would unselfishly obey God, especially if his life were on the line. ( Job 2:4) Yet, the perfect man Jesus obeyed God and remained loyal to him, even undergoing a disgraceful and painful death. ( Hebrews 7:​26) This completely settled the matter: A human can remain faithful to God under whatever test or trial may be brought upon him.

Questions about Jesus' death

Why did Jesus have to suffer and die to redeem humans? Why didn't God just cancel the death sentence?

God's law states that "the wages sin pays is death." ( Romans 6:​23) Rather than hide this law from Adam, God told him that the penalty for disobedience would be death. ( Genesis 3:3) When Adam sinned, God, "who cannot lie," kept his word. ( Titus 1:2) Adam passed on to his descendants not only sin but also the wages of sin​-death.

Although sinful humans deserve the penalty of death, God extended to them "the riches of his undeserved kindness." ( Ephesians 1:7) His provision to redeem mankind​-sending Jesus as a perfect sacrifice​-was both profoundly just and supremely merciful.

When did Jesus die?

Jesus died at "the ninth hour" from sunrise, or at about three o'clock in the afternoon of the Jewish Passover. ( Mark 15:33-​37, footnote) That date corresponds to Friday, April 1, 33 C.E., according to modern calendars.

Where did Jesus die?

Jesus was executed at "the so-called Skull Place, which is called Golʹgo·tha in Hebrew." ( John 19:17, 18) This site was "outside the city gate" of Jerusalem in Jesus' day. ( Hebrews 13:12) It may have been on a hill, since the Bible says that some observed Jesus' execution "from a distance." ( Mark 15:40) However, the present location of Golgotha cannot be determined with certainty.

How did Jesus die?

Although many believe that Jesus was crucified​-executed on a cross​-the Bible reports: "His own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree." ( 1 Peter 2:​24, King James Version) Bible writers used two Greek words to refer to the instrument of Jesus' execution​- stau·rosʹ and xyʹlon. Many scholars have concluded that these words refer to a beam or an upright stake made of one piece of wood.

How should Jesus' death be remembered?

On the night of the annual Jewish Passover, Jesus instituted a simple procedure with his followers and commanded them: "Keep doing this in remembrance of me." ( 1 Corinthians 11:24) Hours later, Jesus was put to death.

Bible writers compared Jesus to the lamb sacrificed at the Passover. ( 1 Corinthians 5:7) Just as the Passover celebration reminded the Israelites that they had been freed from slavery, so the Memorial of Jesus Christ's death reminds Christians that they have been freed from sin and death. The Passover, held on Nisan 14 according to the lunar calendar, was a yearly celebration; the early Christians likewise observed the Memorial once each year.

Annually, on the date corresponding to Nisan 14, millions of people worldwide commemorate Jesus' death.

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Jesus died so that humans could have their sins forgiven and receive endless life. ( Romans 6:​23; Ephesians 1:7) Jesus' death also proved that a human can remain loyal to God even when faced with the severest of tests.​- Hebrews 4:​15. Consider how the death of one man could accomplish so much.

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The painting shows Christ holding a heart, which I assume to be hi. As he holds his heart in his hand, a cross is shown directly on top of it. This could symbolize that as Christ' life was taken, many people believe he was executed on the cross. The cross in his heart can symbolize his death on the cross and how he was a loving being, blessing all through Christianity. 

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The painting shows Christ holding a heart, which I assume to be hi. As he holds his heart in his hand, a cross is shown directly on top of it. This could symbolize that as Christ' life was taken, many people believe he was executed on the cross. The cross in his heart can symbolize his death on the cross and how he was a loving being, blessing all through Christianity. 

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"He (Pompeo Batoni) abandoned his father’s workshop in order to study the art of painting in Rome. " (MDRevelation) 

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"He (Pompeo Batoni) abandoned his father’s workshop in order to study the art of painting in Rome. " (MDRevelation) 

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The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus recalls Christ's love for us. Here are five facts that you may not know about this important feast of Our Lord.
1. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus took centuries to become a universal celebration
Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus goes back to the 11th century. St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had multiple visions of the Sacred Heart between 1673 and 1675. However, it wasn't until 90 years later in 1765, that the feast was officially celebrated in France. In 1856, Pope Pius IX made the feast of the Sacred Heart into a universal celebration.
2. The first feast of the Sacred Heart was actually celebrated in 1670
Even before St. Margaret Mary Alacoque had her visions of the Sacred Heart there was a recorded celebration of this feast. St. Jean Eudes composed the first Office and Mass of the Sacred Heart. The first feast of the Sacred Heart was celebrated on Aug. 31, 1670 in Rennes, France.
3. The feast takes place on the 19th day after Pentecost
The feast of the Sacred Heart is scheduled to be celebrated on the Friday after the octave (eighth day) of the feast of Corpus Christi. Corpus Christi is traditionally the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. However, in the United States, Corpus Christi is instead celebrated on the following Sunday. Despite this, the feast of the Sacred Heart still takes place 19 days after Pentecost.
4. Jesus made 12 promises to those who honor the Sacred Heart to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque:
1. I will give them all the graces necessary for their state in life.

2. I will establish peace in their families.

3. I will comfort them in their trials.

4. I will be their secure refuge during life, and, above all, in death.

5. I will shed abundant blessings on all their undertakings.

6. Sinners will find in My Heart an infinite ocean of mercy.

7. Lukewarm souls will become fervent.

8. Fervent souls will rapidly grow in holiness and perfection.

9. I will bless every place where an image of My Heart shall be exposed and honored.

10. I will give to priests the gift of touching the most hardened hearts.

11. The names of those who promote this devotion will be written in My Heart, never to be blotted out.

12. I promise thee, in the excessive mercy of My Heart, that My all-powerful love will grant to all those who receive Holy Communion on the First Friday of nine consecutive months, the grace of final penitence; they shall not die in My disgrace nor without receiving their Sacraments; My Divine Heart shall be their safe refuge in this last moment.
5. Congregations, states, and groups are consecrated to the Sacred Heart
In 1873, President Gabriel Garcia Moreno issued a petition that led to Ecuador becoming the first country consecrated to the Sacred Heart.

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Five facts about the Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Digest Website

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The Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is June 23 this year. Here are five facts that you may not know about this important feast of our Lord. 1. The devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus took centuries to become a universal celebration

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The iconography of the Sacred Heart, properly speaking, does not appear in Christian art until the end of the 17th century following the apparition to St. Margaret Mary alacoque. The Heart was popularly depicted with a wound, encircled by a crown of thorns, and a small cross above, the whole radiating light. The Sacred Heart was first depicted alone, separate from a figure of Christ. Popular images were already made c. 1685 at Paray and were worn or carried close to the heart following the example of Margaret Mary. Representation of the Sacred Heart on the breast of the Person of Christ developed more slowly. In 1780 the Italian artist Pompeo Batoni painted an image of the Sacred Heart of Jesus for the Queen of Portugal. In this painting Christ holds in His left hand an enflamed heart topped with a little cross and encircled with a crown of thorns. The Congregation of Rites (directive in 1878) did not approve this form of representation as suitable for gaining granted indulgences; the visible figure of the Heart was required to be represented externally on the breast of Our Lord. A further clarification (1891) permitted images of the Heart without the rest of the body for private devotion, but these were not to be exposed on the altar for public veneration.

Statues and paintings of disputable taste, often of vulgar sentiment repulsive to educated sensibilities, proliferated from the beginning of the 19th century. Occasional efforts have been made in reaction to these depictions of the Sacred Heart, but they have not effected a widespread and deeply meaningful image. The interest of the French painter George Desvallires led him to execute his celebrated "Sacred Heart" (1905), which depicts the Christ crowned with thorns tearing at His heart.

More recently Lambert Rucki has carved a figure of Christ showing his five wounds. In the church of the Sacred Heart, Audincourt, France, in the stained glass designed by lger (195052) behind the high altar, the five wounds are shown shining as five suns, recalling the vision of Margaret Mary.

Bibliography: a. l. delattre, (Tunis 1927). h. j. grimouard de saint laurent, Les images du Sacr Coeur au point de vue de l'histoire et de l'art (Paris 1880). k. knstle, Ikonograhpie der christlichen Kunst, 2 v. (Freiburg 192628) 1:615618. l. rau, 6 v. (Paris 195559) 2:4749.

[j. u. morris]

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iconography of
the iconography of the sacred heart

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does not appear in christian art until the end of the 17th century following the apparition to st. margaret mary alacoque. the heart was popularly depicted with a wound

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SACRED HEART, ICONOGRAPHY OF The iconography of the Sacred Heart, properly speaking, does not appear in Christian art until the end of the 17th century following the apparition to St. Margaret Mary alacoque. The Heart was popularly depicted with a wound, encircled by a crown of thorns, and a small cross above, the whole radiating light.

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The Artist of "Sacred Heart of Jesus".