The Israel Museum in Jerusalem is one of the highlights of holy land tours.

The newly renovated museum offers a wide variety of art from various ages and cultures. This article will provide you information about some of the great Christian and religious art housed in the museum’s permanent collection, specifically in the fine arts wing.

St. Peter in Prison – Rembrandt van Rijn

This painting by Rembrandt shows St. Peter in prison after his arrest in Jerusalem. Lost in darkness and shadows, the painting shows St. Peter in despair, right before the angel of God appears to him to deliver his miraculous escape.

The Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew – Jusepe de Ribera

This beautiful painting by the Spanish painter Jusepe de Ribera depicts the Martyrdom of St. Bartholomew. The flaying of St. Bartholomew is painted in a realistic and harsh way and one can clearly see the influence of Caravaggio, whom de Ribera greatly admired.

The Sacrifice of Isaac – Gabriel Metsu

This small masterpiece by the Dutch painter is not to be missed. The beautiful and radiant Isaac is the only source of brightness and light in the otherwise dark and shadowed painting, indicating the presence of the angel of god, just outside the border of the painting and about stop Abraham, who is still in the shadows.

A Brief Description of Some Other Religious Masterworks in the Fine Arts Wing

The fine arts wing, specifically the European art section, features many other religious masterworks. Another little known masterpiece from a Dutch master is the dismissal of Hagar by Jan Victors. Yet another work that is not to be missed is the dramatic ‘The destruction and sack of the temple of Jerusalem’ by Nicolas Poussin. This brilliant work depicts the Emperor Titus trying in vain to stop the Roman armies from destroying the temple.