The patron of artists is Blessed Fra Angelico (about 1395–1455), the Dominican friar whose luminous paintings of Christ and Mary still fill the convent of San Marco in Florence, named patron of artists by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984. Painters have also long honored St. Luke, who by tradition painted the first icon of the Virgin Mary, and St. Catherine of Bologna, a Poor Clare abbess who painted and illuminated manuscripts. Below are their stories, patrons of other arts, Scripture on the artist’s gift, and prayers for artists.
A short prayer for artists, written for this page:
Lord God, Creator of all beauty, you have given me eyes to see and hands to make.
Through the prayers of Blessed Fra Angelico, let my work reflect your light,
help me to be patient with my craft, and let what I create lead others to you. Amen.
Blessed Fra Angelico
Guido di Pietro was born near Florence about 1395 and trained as a painter before entering the Dominican friary at Fiesole, where he took the name Fra Giovanni. He became one of the greatest painters of the early Renaissance. For the friary of San Marco in Florence he painted a fresco in each of the friars’ cells, simple and radiant scenes from the life of Christ meant to help them pray, as well as a famous Annunciation at the top of the stairs. Popes called him to Rome to decorate their chapels, and he was offered the archbishopric of Florence, which he declined.
His brothers said that he never painted a crucifix without tears, and that he prayed before he began to paint. Very soon after his death in Rome in 1455 people were calling him Fra Angelico, “the angelic brother,” and Beato, “the blessed one.” Pope St. John Paul II confirmed his veneration as a blessed in 1982 and proclaimed him patron of artists in 1984. His feast is February 18.
St. Luke, patron of painters
The evangelist St. Luke, “the most dear physician” (Colossians 4:14), wrote the Gospel that tells the most about Mary. An ancient tradition says he also painted her portrait, and several venerable icons, including the Salus Populi Romani in the Basilica of St. Mary Major in Rome, have been attributed to him. For centuries painters’ guilds across Europe were called Guilds of St. Luke. His feast is October 18. See the St. Luke prayer.
St. Catherine of Bologna
St. Catherine of Bologna (1413–1463) was a Poor Clare nun, abbess and mystic who painted, illuminated manuscripts, played music and wrote poetry and a spiritual treatise. Some of her paintings survive, and she is honored as a patron of artists and of the liberal arts. Her feast is March 9.
Patron saints of other arts
| Art | Patron saint |
|---|---|
| Music and musicians | St. Cecilia |
| Actors and comedians | St. Genesius |
| Dancers | St. Vitus |
| Writers and journalists | St. Francis de Sales |
| Goldsmiths and metalworkers | St. Eligius |
| Architects and builders | St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Barbara |
| Television and film | St. Clare of Assisi |
The artist’s gift in Scripture
When Moses built the tabernacle, God filled the craftsman Beseleel with His Spirit for the work of art (Exodus 31:2–5, Douay-Rheims; Bezalel in modern Bibles):
Behold, I have called by name Beseleel the son of Uri the son of Hur of the tribe of Juda,
And I have filled him with the spirit of God, with wisdom and understanding, and knowledge in all manner of work.
To devise whatsoever may be artificially made of gold, and silver, and brass,
Of marble, and precious stones, and variety of wood.
And the psalmist sings (Psalm 25:8, Psalm 26 in modern Bibles):
I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of thy house; and the place where thy glory dwelleth.
In his Letter to Artists (1999), Pope St. John Paul II wrote to all artists that the world needs beauty, and that true art opens the human heart to the mystery of God.
Prayers for artists
Written for this page.
An artist’s prayer before work
Holy Spirit, who filled Beseleel with skill and understanding,
fill me with your creativity today.
Guide my eye and my hand, give me patience with what is unfinished,
and let my work be honest, beautiful and good. Amen.
For artists who are discouraged
Lord, I feel empty and my work feels poor.
Remind me that you love what you have made, including me.
Give me the courage to keep creating, and the humility to keep learning. Amen.
For a student of art
Blessed Fra Angelico, you learned your craft before you served God with it.
Pray for me as I study, that I may grow in skill and in love for what is true and beautiful. Amen.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of artists?
Blessed Fra Angelico, named patron of artists by Pope St. John Paul II in 1984. St. Luke and St. Catherine of Bologna are also patrons of artists.
Who is the patron saint of painters?
St. Luke the Evangelist, who by tradition painted the Virgin Mary, and Blessed Fra Angelico.
Is Fra Angelico a saint?
He is a blessed. Pope St. John Paul II confirmed his veneration in 1982.
More patron saints
- St. John Damascene
- St. Luke prayer
- St. Cecilia prayer
- St. Genesius, patron of actors
- Patron saints of sports and hobbies
- Patron saints of professions
- Unusual patron saints
Texts and sources
- Exodus 31:2–5, Psalm 25:8 and Colossians 4:14 (Douay-Rheims).