Iconography

This chapter explores how Christian iconography—the study of religious images and symbols—shapes and enhances the visual storytelling of biblical films. It argues that religious films often draw from classical Christian art to create authenticity and emotional depth, using techniques like visual analogy, the Gaze, and ekphrasis (depicting art within film). Key examples include the influence of artists like Gustave Doré, James Tissot, and Caravaggio on directors such as Cecil B. DeMille, Martin Scorsese, and Mel Gibson. These filmmakers use religious imagery to evoke cultural memory and spiritual resonance, making films a modern continuation of biblical art traditions. The chapter concludes by advocating for deeper integration of visual analysis in religious film studies, recognizing the power of images to communicate meaning, identity, and belief.