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Know the Saint

Visual Atlas

The language of symbols.

Identify a figure Browse the index

Attribute cabinet

Two keys identify Saint Peter. In Perugino’s fresco, Christ gives them to him at the centre of the piazza.

See Saint Peter

Pietro Perugino

The keys

Identification desk

What can you see?

Choose up to three clues to find figures in the collection that share them all.

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Try a combination

Symbol index

Results · 73

Symbols

Prophet's Beard

Venerable age of prophets and Baptist

How to recognise it

Long venerable beard marks prophets and elderly apostles.

Combine with tablets (Moses), lamb (Baptist), or sword (Paul).

Associated figures

Saint Paul Moses John the Baptist Saint Andrew Saint Philip Saint Bartholomew Saint Thomas Saint James the Less Saint Simon the Zealot Saint Jude Thaddeus Saint Matthias Abraham Noah Adam Jacob Solomon Elijah Daniel

Looking guides

Study symbols by theme

Most Recognizable

Beginner Symbol Guide

Martyrdom Clues

Animals & Their Meaning

Compare figures

Saint Peter vs Saint Paul Saint George vs Archangel Michael Saint Anthony vs Saint Joseph

How to read an image

Look at what the figure holds and how it is used.
Study the clothes. A habit, armour or dalmatic can help establish a role.
Compare the object and the clothing with the action in the scene.