This image depicts Pentecost as described in Acts 2:1-4: "When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak" (CEB). Mary the mother of Jesus is seated in the center of a group of disciples and the Holy Spirit is depicted as a dove, casting down its strongest and brightest rays on her. Flames are seen above all of the disciples' heads, more accurately depicting the reality the author describes, which tells readers that Pentecost included male, female, Jew, Gentile, slave, and free - rather than only the 12 apostles.

Title of Art: The Descent of the Holy Ghost

Artist: Titian

Date of Composition: 1555

Exhibit Institution: Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Basilica of Saint Mary of Health)

Exhibit Location: Venice, Italy

VM Image #: 0102

Photographer: Shala Graham

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