Columbiformes Gallery

Saint Francis of Assisi

Saint Francis of Assisi (Giovanni Francesco di Bernardone 1182-1226) - Catholic deacon and preacher and founder of the Order of Friars Minor, more commonly known as the Franciscans. Most well known as the patron saint of animals

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10435079

Assisi, Bernardone, Birds, Catholic, Cross, Deacon, Di, Founder, Francesco, Francis, Franciscans, Friars, Giovanni, Halo, Historical, History, Holding, Minor, Order, Patron, Pigeon, Preacher, Saint, Seated, Sitting, Wren

The Trinity, c. 1620. Creator: Hendrik van Balen (Flemish, 1575-1632)

The Trinity, c. 1620. This vividly coloured altarpiece was made in Antwerp, the center of religious learning in Catholic Flanders. In the mid-1500s when the Catholic Church mounted a defense against the spread of Protestant reforms, known as the Counter-Reformation, it encouraged the production of religious images that promoted Catholic doctrine, offering opportunities for artists like Rubens, Van Dyck, and Van Balen. Van Balen's painting depicts the traditional theme of the Trinity, with God the Father holding the dead Christ and the dove of the Holy Spirit hovering above. Unusually, God wears the purple papal tiara, intended to emphasize the pope's role as God's true representative on earth. Encircling the figures of the Trinity are angels holding the instruments of Christ's Passion. On the clasp of God's elaborate cape is a small figure of Saint Barbara, perhaps a clue to the original location of the work in a chapel dedicated to her

© Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Girl Guides: Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret send courier

Princess Elizabeth, patrol leader in the Buckingham Palace Company, sends a message by courier pigeon to Lady Baden Powell at Guide Headquarters. It was one of the many messages sent by girl guides all over the country on the occasion of "thinking day", which marks the birthday of the late Lord Baden Powell. Founder of the Boy Scouts, and his wife.Princess Margaret holds the pigeon container, while Princess Elizabeth writes the message, at Windsor. Date: 20th February 1943

© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10510762