What is a halo?
Speaker: Dr. Heather Graham
The halo as a symbol in art
This video, focusing on Andrea Mantegna's painting of Saint George, explains what a halo is and why it is used in art. The Italian Renaissance artist's painting in the Gallerie dell'Accademia in Venice offers a nice introduction to this important symbol in art.
Andrea Mantegna, Saint George, c. 1460, tempera on panel. Gallerie dell'Accademia, Venice. Photo: © Dr. Lauren Kilroy-Ewbank
Video chapters
0:00 What is a halo?
0:33 Saints and halos
1:01 Symbol of light
1:28 Shapes of halos
1:41 Halos and animals
Learn more
See our entire glossary of art.
Learn about the Italian renaissance.
