Can You Identify the Religious Figures in These Famous Artworks?

By: Heather Cahill
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Identify the Religious Figures in These Famous Artworks?
Image: Pixabay

About This Quiz

I think that's the Virgin Mary... or is it Mary Magdalene? Make sure you keep your religious figures straight in this quiz! You'll have to look at the masterpieces of the greats such as paintings from Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo. Many of their paintings dealt with the subject of religion and stories from the Bible. All that is left to do is identify who they are!

You'll have to tap into different artistic styles and look for clues to decipher who it may be. Maybe you'll notice a woman with a baby and realize that it is the Virgin Mary. Or maybe you'll spot a platter and realize that St. John the Baptist is in the painting. If you can't find a clue, then look for others or places you might recognize in the paintings!

This quiz will put your knowledge and your eye to the test! You know their names and their story, but how well do you really know their faces? This is your time to find out!

So, you think you're an art expert? What about an expert in religious figures? If you can put them both together, you can probably ace this quiz. Take it to find out your score!

trans
Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures are in "Transfiguration"?
Mary
Noah
Saint Anthony
Moses
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll find Moses at the top of this painting, the "Transfiguration," alongside Jesus. This painting's artist was Raphael, and other religious figures in the painting are Elijah and John.

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Saint Jerome
Leonardo da Vinci / Wiki Commons
Can you name the person depicted in this Leonardo da Vinci painting?
St. Jerome
Enoch
Christ
Peter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saint Jerome is depicted in this painting by Leonardo da Vinci, also titled, "St. Jerome." It is currently located at the Vatican after changing through various famous hands since its creation.

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st_luke
Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting along with Mary and Jesus?
Enoch
Mark
Cain
St. Luke
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. Luke appears in this painting along with Mary and Jesus. The painting is called "St. Luke Painting the Virgin" by Derick Baegert which was completed in the 1400s. There are many paintings that depict the Virgin Mary with baby Jesus, but where is Joseph?

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sistine_madonna
Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures are shown in this painting, "Sistine Madonna," by Raphael?
Jesus
Noah
Saint Sixtus II
Lamech
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saint Sixtus II, who was also a Pope at one time, is shown in this painting called "Sistine Madonna" by Raphael. There are a few other religious figures depicted as well, such as Madonna, better known as Mary, and John the Baptist.

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st_matthew
Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures is in this Caravaggio piece?
Peter
Paul
Mark
Jesus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll find Peter in the painting, "The Calling of St. Matthew," by Caravaggio, along with Matthew. Did you know that the painting is a capture of Matthew when he was writing one part of the Bible? The painting was created in the late 1500s, so it came much after the actual writings!

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prodigal
Wiki Commons
Can you identify the man, a part of an important Biblical story, in this image?
Joseph
Abraham
Cain
The Prodigal Son
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Prodigal Son is definitely present in the painting, "The Return of the Prodigal Son," by Rembrandt. If you want to see the painting in person, it is currently at the Hermitage Museum.

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last_supper
Wiki Commons
Which of these religious figures is in this famous Leonardo da Vinci painting?
Gabriel
Eve
Shem
Bartholomew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll see Bartholomew along with the other apostles of Jesus in "The Last Supper" by Leonardo da Vinci. Just like one of his other most famous paintings, the "Mona Lisa," this painting is said to have some hidden treasures in it as well.

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cross
Wiki Commons
Who is this being in the Ruben painting, "The Elevation of the Cross"?
Gideon
Jeremiah
Christ
Methuselah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christ is on the cross in Peter Paul Rubens' painting, "The Elevation of the Cross." It was painted in the early 1600s and it is laid out along t​hree panels found in the Cathedral of Our Lady.

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altarpiece
Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures are shown in this painting?
The Devil
Lamech
St. Joseph
Abel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saint Joseph is one of the subjects of this painting called "Merode Altarpiece," which is thought to be created by Robert Campin. The three-panel​ painting is located in New York City, and also has the Virgin Mary depicted in it.

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magi
Wiki Commons
Can you name the person(s) present in this Leonardo da Vinci classic?
Three Wise Men
Sarah and Abraham
Soloman
Isaiah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Three Wise Men who came to visit baby Jesus are shown in the "Adoration of the Magi" by Leonardo da Vinci. The painting is one of many which have the same title, and depict the same scenes but in different styles and techniques.

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anunciation
WikiCommons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Miriam
Isaac
Hezekiah
Gabriel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Gabriel is delivering some exciting news to Mary in Leonardo da Vinci's painting, "Annunciation." This painting was created in the 1400s and is currently located in Italy.

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Belshazzar
Wiki Commons
Who is this religious figure in this painting by Rembrandt?
Herod the Great
Arpachshad
Belshazzar
Adam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The main subject of this painting is Belshazzar who is hosting a grand dinner here. The painting is called "Belshazzar's Feast" by Rembrandt, which hangs in the National Gallery of London.

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The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
Piero della Francesca / Wiki Commons
A central person to the Bible, who is shown here?
Jesus
Rachel
Moses
Jacob
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus has risen from the dead in the painting, "The Resurrection," by Piero della Francesca. The painting was almost destroyed in World War II but was saved by a cease-fire​ by an admirer of art.

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Virgin of the Rocks
Leonardo da Vinci / Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in "The Virgin of the Rocks"?
Archangel Gabriel
Noah
Rebekah
Seth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Archangel Gabriel sits with the Virgin, baby Jesus and baby John the Baptist in "The Virgin of the Rocks" by Leonardo da Vinci. It is one of two versions of the painting. This version is hung in the Louvre.

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coronation
Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures is shown in this painting?
Mary
Hezekiah
Noah
Saul
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Virgin Mary makes an appearance in this painting as she enters Heaven's doors in "Coronation of the Virgin" by Diego Velazquez. As you probably know, she became the Queen of Heaven.

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trinity
Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting by Rublev?
Father
Son
Holy Spirit
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Holy Trinity is present in this painting called "The Trinity" by Andrei Rublev. Andrei Rublev was a Russian artist who created this work in the early 1400s in Moscow where it remains today.

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Madonna in Glory with Seraphim
Botticelli / Wiki Commons
Who is depicted in this famous piece by Botticelli?
Mary
Shem
Abraham
Abel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary and Jesus are depicted in this painting called "Madonna in Glory with Seraphim" by Sandro Botticelli. It is currently in Florence, Italy, and was​ painted in the 1400s.

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confidence
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Esau
Martha
Judas
Mary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary is shown in another painting which also shows her son, Jesus. The painting is called "Our Lady of Confidence" which was painted by Carlo Marratta in the mid-1800s.

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dali
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this Salvador Dali painting?
Christ
Saint Peter
Madonna
Joseph
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You'll find Christ nailed to the cross in this painting called "Christ of Saint John of the Cross." The story behind the painting is that Salvador Dali had a dream that inspired the creation of the piece.

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innocence
Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting?
Mary
Sarah
God
Abigail
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Virgin Mary is shown in a different way in "L'Innocence" by William Adolphe-Bouguereau. Did you notice the lamb that Mary holds along with baby Jesus in her arms?

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pieta
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this sculpture by Michelangelo?
Jesus
Shem
Isaac
St. Andrew
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Jesus is shown laying in the arms of his mother, Mary, after his death in this sculpture known as "Pieta" by Michelangelo. Like many of Michelangelo's works, the sculpture is located in Vatican City.

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shepherds
Wiki Commons
Can you name the person in "The Adoration of the Shepherds?
Abel
Phinehas
Joseph
Job
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Joseph and Mary are in this painting called "The Adoration of the Shepherds" by Giorgione. The painting is from the Renaissance era and shows a calmer scene than many others of the time.

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The Panciatichi Holy Family
Bronzino / Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Saint Peter
Hosea
John the Baptist
Saint Anthony
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saint John the Baptist is shown as a child with Jesus in this painting called the "Panciatichi Holy Family" by Bronzino. The painting was commissioned by the Panciatichi family in the 1500s.

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sebastian
Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting by Andrea Mantegna?
Simon
Abel
St. Sebastien
Archangel Gabriel
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. Sebastien is the subject of this painting called "San Sebastien" by Andrea Mantegna. In this painting, St. Sebastien has just been shot with arrows after attending to those who were affected by the plague and Mantegna was thought to have suffered from the disease as well.

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enthroned
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is in this painting by Cimabue?
Hezekiah
Rachel
Saint Sixtus
Mary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Mary and baby Jesus are the subjects of "The Virgin Enthroned in Angels" by Cimabue. This was an earlier work of art being painted in the 1200s, and is currently in display at the Louvre.

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beheading
Wiki Commons
Who is shown holding the platter in this painting?
Amoz
Isaiah
Salome
Rebekah
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You may recall from the Bible that Salome was the one who requested St. John the Baptist's head on a platter. The painting called "The Beheading of St. John the Baptist" by Caravaggio depicts the killing of St. John the Baptist.

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marys
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown here?
The Virgin Mary
Mary Magdalene
Mary Salome
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The three biblical Marys are depicted in this painting called "The Dead Christ Mourned" by Annibale Carracci. This painting is in the National Gallery of London and was painted in the early 1600s.

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The Burial of the Count of Orgaz
El Greco / Wiki Commons
Which of the following religious figures are shown in this painting?
Adam
Nahshon
St. Augustine
The Pope
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. Augustine is pictured in this painting, called "The Burial of the Count of Orgaz" by El Greco. This is a famous painting that depicts heaven and the Earth and stands at 15 feet tall.

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St. Catherine of Alexandria
Raphael / Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Martha
Sarah
St. Catherine
Kathryn
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. Catherine is the star of this painting called "St. Catherine of Alexandria" by Raphael. Did you know that this piece was painted during the Italian Renaissance?

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entombment
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting by Michelangelo?
Hosea
Rehoboam
Soloman
St. John
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

St. John is present in this painting called "The Entombment" by Michelangelo. The painting is about the subject of putting Jesus to rest after his crucifixion. It is currently in the National Gallery of London.

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The dead Christ and three mourners
Andrea Mantegna / Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting?
Jacob
Rachel
Christ
Esau
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Christ is depicted after his death in this painting called "Lamentation for Christ" by Andrea Mantegna.

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supper
WikiCommons
Who is shown in this Caravaggio classic?
Jesus
Moses
Lamech
Isaac
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You may not have recognized him, but that's because he is in disguise! Jesus is here with a few disciples in this painting called "The Supper at Emmaus" by Caravaggio.

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The Sacrifice of Isaac by Caravaggio
Caravaggio / Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown here?
God
Abraham
Mary Magdalene
Eve
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Abraham is shown here as he prepares to sacrifice his son in this painting called "The Sacrifice of Isaac" by Caravaggio. This is one of two versions of the painting. This one hangs in New Jersey, while the other is in Florence.

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peter
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Jared
Huldah
Abraham
Peter
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Saint Peter is filled with sorrow in this painting called "The Tears of Saint Peter" by El Greco. The dark background helps to convey the terrible mood and regret he is feeling in this Renaissance-era​ painting.

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conception
Wiki Commons
Who is shown in this painting?
Martha
Rachel
Asher
The Virgin Mary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Virgin Mary becomes blessed with the Holy Child Jesus Christ in this painting called "The Immaculate Conception" by Bartolome Esteban Murillo. This painting dealt with Mary's conception of the Holy Child​.

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disputation
Wiki Commons
Which religious figure is shown in this painting?
Eleazar
Matthias
Apollos
Adam
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Adam is found in this painting called "The Disputation Over the Most Holy Sacrament" by Raphael. He is among many other important figures, including God, Jesus, Mary, and St. John the Baptist.

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