Iconographic Archive
Library of saints
Search by name or by a detail you remember from an artwork. Each entry brings together the figure’s attributes, history and a gallery for closer study.
Browse the catalogue
Saint Peter
The apostle associated with the keys of Heaven
Saint Paul
Apostle and letter writer, often shown with a sword
Saint Lawrence
Roman deacon identified by a gridiron
Saint Sebastian
Roman martyr depicted bound and pierced by arrows
Saint James the Greater
Son of Zebedee and patron of pilgrims to Santiago
Saint Lucy
Martyr of Syracuse, often shown with eyes on a dish
Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Martyr of Alexandria identified by a broken wheel
Saint George
Soldier saint and dragon slayer in medieval legend
Saint Stephen
First Christian martyr, pictured with stones
Saint Agnes
Young Roman martyr accompanied by a lamb
Saint Barbara
Martyr identified by a tower with three windows
Saint Cecilia
Roman martyr associated with music and the organ
Saint Apollonia
Martyr of Alexandria with pincers and a tooth
Saint Francis of Assisi
Founder of the Franciscan order
Saint Anthony of Padua
Franciscan preacher often shown with the Christ Child
Virgin Mary
Mother of Jesus in the Annunciation and Nativity
Archangel Michael
Archangel shown defeating the dragon or weighing souls
Saint Joseph
Guardian of Jesus in scenes of the Holy Family
Mary Magdalene
Disciple who announces the risen Christ
Moses
Leader of Israel shown with the tablets of the Law
David
Shepherd, king and victor over Goliath
John the Baptist
Prophet who baptised Jesus in the Jordan
Jesus Christ
Central figure of Christianity
Saint John the Evangelist
Evangelist identified by an eagle
Saint Matthew
Apostle and evangelist pictured with a winged figure
Saint Andrew
Brother of Simon Peter, associated with a diagonal cross
Saint Philip
Apostle from Bethsaida associated with the loaves
Saint Bartholomew
Apostle traditionally pictured with a flaying knife
Saint Thomas
Apostle shown examining Christ’s wounds
Saint James the Less
Apostle associated with a fuller’s club
Saint Simon the Zealot
Apostle called the Zealot, associated with a saw
Saint Jude Thaddeus
Apostle venerated as the patron of difficult causes
Saint Matthias
Disciple chosen by lot to join the Twelve
Saint Luke
Evangelist associated with the winged ox
Saint Mark
Evangelist associated with the winged lion
Abraham
Patriarch associated with the covenant and the binding of Isaac
Noah
Builder of the ark in the Flood narrative
Adam
First man in the Genesis creation narrative
Eve
Figure of Eden associated with the serpent and the fruit
Jacob
Patriarch named Israel after wrestling through the night
Solomon
King of Israel associated with wise judgment
Elijah
Prophet fed by ravens and taken up in a whirlwind
Daniel
Prophet in the lions’ den