Christian Art representing heaven is one of the richest and most varied traditions in Western art. It tends to focus on three interconnected themes: the glory of God, the communion of saints, and the destiny of humanity.
​
This fresco by Michelangelo in the Sistine Chapel, was painted in the knowledge that every cardinal who would cast a vote in the conclave to elect a new pope, would have to do so infront of this image. To prayerfully remind them of the awesome responsibility of their actions.
Heaven
.jpg)
The Court of Heaven
Some of the Christian Art around the idea of 'The Court of Heaven' is very intresting to a Church dedicated to All Saints.
​
This is part of a painting by the Italian Dominican, Fra Angelico and was commissioned in Florence in the 15th Century. The figures portayed are the 'saved' at Christs right hand. What is notable, as you can see in the corner, is that their entrance into heaven is dynamic, dancing with angels.
​
Many artists portrayed heaven as static:
​but Fra Angelico depicts movement, delight, relationship and celebration.
The figures seem almost to be participating in a heavenly village festival.
You see rows of saints arranged harmoniously around Christ.
Unlike many later Renaissance paintings, these saints are not showing off individual personality. Instead they form a community.This is important.
Fra Angelico's heaven is corporate rather than individualistic. Nobody gets to heaven alone.
​
His paintings were intended to help prayer.
The Last Judgement therefore asks:
What kind of person are you becoming?
The blessed are recognisable because they have learned: love, humility, joy, communion. The damned (on the other side of the painting) are trapped in self-centredness and separation.
​
It feels less like an imperial court and more like a community finally becoming what it was meant to be.