The Holy Spirit has been represented in Christian art both in the Eastern and Western Churches using a variety of depictions.Renaissance art: a topical dictionary by Irene Earls 1987 page 70Gardner's art through the ages: the western perspective by Fred S. Kleiner page 349Vladimir Lossky, 1999 The Meaning of Icons page 17
The depictions have ranged from nearly identical figures that represent the three persons of the Holy Trinity from a dove to a flame.
The Holy Spirit is often depicted as a dove, based on the account of the Holy Spirit descending like a dove on Jesus at his baptism. In many paintings of the Annunciation, the Holy Spirit is shown in the form of a dove, coming down towards Mary on beams of light, as the Archangel Gabriel announces Christ's coming to Mary.
A dove may also be seen at the ear of Saint Gregory the Great─as recorded by his secretary or other church father authors, dictating their works to them.
The dove also parallels the one that brought the olive branch to Noah after the deluge, as a symbol of peace.We Believe in the Holy Spirit (Ancient Christian Doctrine, No. 4) by Joel C. Elowsky (Jul 13, 2009) InterVarsity page 14
The book of Acts describes the Holy Spirit descending on the apostles at Pentecost in the form of a wind and tongues of fire resting over the apostles' heads. Based on that account, the Holy Spirit is sometimes symbolized by a flame.The Holy Spirit: Classic and Contemporary Readings by Eugene F. Rogers Jr. (May 19, 2009) Wiley pages 121-123
There are also depictions of the Holy Spirit in the book of Genesis. In The Vatican Museum in Rome is a carved stone sarcophagus depicting the Holy Trinity as three bearded men during the creation of Eve.Early christian art and architecture by Milburn, R., & Milburn, R. L. P. (1988) Los Angeles: University of California Press. page 68 The majority of early Christian art depicts The Holy Spirit in an anthropomorphic form as a human with two other Identical human figures representing God the Father and Jesus Christ. They either sit or they stand grouped together. This is used to portray the unity of the Most Holy Trinity.Three Drawing in an Anglo-Saxon Pontifical: Anthropomorphic Trinity of Threefold Christ? by Rosenthal, J. E. (1981) Art Bulletin, 63(4), page 546The Trinity. Touchstone: A Journal Of Mere Christianity by Rublev, A. (2013) Academic Search Complete page 54-55
The Holy Spirit is represented in various artistic mediums such as stained glass windows and calligraphy.Christian Century by Huey-Heck, L. (2012)Academic Search Complete page 47
Gallery
In the Trinity
Pentecost
See also God the Father in Western art Trinity in Christian art
Notes
External links Age of spirituality : late antique and early Christian art, third to seventh century from The Metropolitan Museum of Art