Across centuries, artists have turned to the Hebrew Bible for inspiration—creating some of the most iconic, dramatic, and spiritually charged images in Western art. In this course, we will explore how painters, sculptors, and illustrators have reimagined biblical figures, turning stories of faith, courage, struggle, and redemption into visual masterpieces.

From Eve and the timeless symbolism of temptation, to Isaac bound in the moment of sacrifice, to the many faces of Moses—including Michelangelo’s monumental vision—we will see how artists capture both human vulnerability and divine presence. We will trace the evolution of David as hero, king, and emblem of Renaissance ideals, and examine the powerful portrayals of Esther, whose courage has inspired generations of artists.

Together, we will uncover how art shapes—and is shaped by—the biblical imagination, and how these ancient stories continue to speak through brushstroke, marble, and canvas.