When sacred stories become timeless art.
ONLINE
Mondays, 12:00-1:30pm (ET), February 9, 2026 - March 9, 2026
“For me, the Bible is a source of inspiration. It has always been the greatest poetry.” – Marc Chagall
Course Description :
Across centuries, artists have turned to the Hebrew Bible for inspiration—creating some of the most iconic, dramatic, and spiritually charged images in Western art. In this course, we will explore how painters, sculptors, and illustrators have reimagined biblical figures, turning stories of faith, courage, struggle, and redemption into visual masterpieces.
From Eve and the timeless symbolism of temptation, to Isaac bound in the moment of sacrifice, to the many faces of Moses—including Michelangelo’s monumental vision—we will see how artists capture both human vulnerability and divine presence. We will trace the evolution of David as hero, king, and emblem of Renaissance ideals, and examine the powerful portrayals of Esther, whose courage has inspired generations of artists.
Together, we will uncover how art shapes—and is shaped by—the biblical imagination, and how these ancient stories continue to speak through brushstroke, marble, and canvas.
Mondays, 12:00-1:30pm (ET)
Dates: Feb. 9, 16, 23; Mar. 2, 9
Dr. Batia Cohen earned her Ph.D. in Mesoamerican Studies from the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México and a Bachelor's degree in Graphic Design from the Universidad Metropolitana in Mexico City. She was an adjunct professor at Florida International University and she has taught in Florida for the past 15 years. Batia has published numerous articles in specialized Art and History magazines. She is currently a collaborator of a cultural magazine in Spanish online; LetraUrbana.com. She is the author of the historical novel Una Amapola Entre Cactus. Batia is a proud Melton graduate and serves on the Adult Learning Advisory Board.
