Atlas of Sacred Iconography

Formation

Learning Paths

Structured iconography courses — one free flagship path, with premium specializations in preparation.

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The Twelve Apostles

Guided modules, apostle comparisons, and visual assessments — the entry point for reading sacred art.

10 modules54+ lessons12 Apostles8–10 hours

Saint Peter — featured course artwork

What you will master

Identify each of the Twelve Apostles by primary attributes in painting, sculpture, and mosaic.
Distinguish Peter and Andrew, the two Jameses, and John the Evangelist from similar figures.
Tell Matthew, Thomas, Philip, and Bartholomew apart in apostolic cycles.
Navigate Last Supper compositions, Pentecost groups, and pilgrimage iconography.

Curriculum modules

A

Introduction to Apostolic Iconography

5 lessons

B

Peter & Andrew — The First-Called Brothers

8 lessons

C

James the Greater & the Pilgrimage Tradition

5 lessons

D

John the Evangelist

6 lessons

All twelve apostles — visual study set

Peter

Andrew

Saint James the Greater

James the Greater

Saint John the Evangelist

John the Evangelist

Philip

Saint Bartholomew

Bartholomew

Saint Matthew

Matthew

Saint Thomas

Thomas

View all twelve in the course hub →

02

Premium learning paths

Coming Soon

Martyrs, Marian iconography, and mendicant traditions — preview syllabi below as they unlock.

Coming SoonBeginnerIn preparation

Visual literacy in martyr iconography

Famous Martyrs

Master the instruments of martyrdom in Western art.

Saint Lawrence — Saint Lawrence (El martirio de san Lorenzo, por Valentin de Boulogne)

Saint Sebastian — Saint Sebastian (San Sebastiano)

Saint Lucy — Saint Lucy (Santa Lucía)

Saint Catherine of Alexandria — Saint Catherine of Alexandria

Learn the most recognizable martyr figures through instruments of martyrdom and devotional symbolism.

A premium path in active preparation — unlocking soon as the curriculum expands.

Study outcomes

→Associate each martyr with a primary distinguishing attribute.
→Avoid common mix-ups in female martyr iconography.
→Use martyr symbols to infer narrative context.

✦Gridiron, arrows, eyes, and wheel symbolism
✦Four foundational martyr narratives

Module preview

Lawrence and the GridironSebastian and the ArrowsLucy and the EyesCatherine and the Wheel

4 modules2.5 hours4 figures

Next in the curriculum · Unlocking soon

Saint Francis of Assisi

Coming SoonIntermediateIn preparation

Mendicant spirituality in sacred art

Franciscan Family

Read mendicant humility, stigmata, and preaching scenes.

Saint Francis of Assisi — Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Anthony of Padua — Saint Anthony of Padua

Compare Franciscan representations from contemplative austerity to pastoral preaching imagery.

A premium path in active preparation — unlocking soon as the curriculum expands.

Study outcomes

→Distinguish Francis and Anthony despite shared Franciscan attire.
→Read Franciscan spirituality through clothing and gesture.

✦Francis vs. Anthony distinction drills
✦Mendicant habit and devotional motifs

Module preview

Francis and the Habit / StigmataAnthony and the Child JesusFranciscan Spirituality in Art

3 modules1.5 hours2 figures

Next in the curriculum · Unlocking soon

Saint Anthony of Padua

Coming SoonAdvancedIn preparation

Core visual forms of Marian devotion

Marian Iconography

Decode the major Marian types across centuries of art.

Saint Anthony of Padua — Saint Anthony of Padua

Virgin Mary — Madonna in Prayer

Saint Joseph — Saint Joseph and Christ Child (Murillo)

Understand the principal Marian visual types and the symbols that stabilize identification across styles.

A premium path in active preparation — unlocking soon as the curriculum expands.

Study outcomes

→Differentiate major Marian representational families.
→Use color and symbol logic to identify Marian imagery faster.

✦Virgin and Child, Mater Dolorosa, Immaculate Conception
✦Color and symbol logic for Marian scenes

Module preview

Virgin and ChildMater DolorosaImmaculate Conception+1 more

4 modules3 hours3 figures

Next in the curriculum · Unlocking soon