Famous Historical Paintings That Show Mysterious Unidentified Flying Objects
Across history artists have painted scenes that tell stories of spirituality, mythology, and even moments of strange and unexplained phenomena. While today’s UFO sightings are often caught on camera some UFO enthusiasts believe that evidence of extraterrestrial encounters and UFO’s are recorded in centuries-old art.
Strange orbs, beams of light and strange objects appear in several historical paintings but are these just symbolic elements representing divine or celestial beings or could they be early depictions of UFO’s and extraterrestrial visitations?
Let’s take a look at some of these historical masterpieces that could show that UFO’s and Alien’s have been visiting us throughout history.
The reason I decided to write this article is because I have recently been watching Investigation Alien, the new UFO documentary series on Netflix where renowned investigative journalist George Knapp reveals the findings of his 30-year quest on investigating UFO’s and brings forward never before seen evidence. Its quite a good show, I would recommend watching it if you can.
In the second episode they head to Brazil to look at the famous UFO attacks that where happening in the 1970’s where it was reported that UFO’s were firing beams of light at people, injuring them and leaving marks. There was even an official investigation carried by the Brazilian Air Force named Operation Saucer.
Hearing of those witness accounts of UFO’s firing beams of light at people reminded me of the ‘Annunciation with Saint Emidius’ famous painting whereby it looks like it shows a UFO firing down a beam of light. You can take a look below, third image down.
The Madonna with Saint Giovannino by Domenico Ghirlandaio
Date: 15th Century
This Renaissance painting is perhaps one of the most famous works said to include a UFO-like object. Painted by Domenico Ghirlandaio or his workshop, “The Madonna with Saint Giovannino” features the Virgin Mary and child with Saint John gazing at her in adoration. Yet in the background there’s an object hovering in the sky that appears disc-shaped and radiant with a man and his dog looking up at it in amazement.
This detail has intrigued UFO enthusiasts for years as it bears a striking resemblance to modern UFO descriptions. Art historians however suggest it may represent an angel or a divine apparition rather than an extraterrestrial craft.
The Baptism of Christ by Aert De Gelder
Date: 1710
Dutch painter Aert De Gelder’s “The Baptism of Christ” is another artwork often cited by UFO theorists. The painting shows Jesus being baptized by John the Baptist while an unusual, glowing, disc-shaped object hovers above. The object emits a radiant beam of light that illuminates Jesus, seemingly coming from what we would now describe as a UFO.
De Gelder was known to experiment with light and its symbolic meanings in art and many art historians believe this to be a representation of the Holy Spirit or God, but still, the unusual depiction continues to fuel speculation among UFO enthusiasts about its otherworldly inspiration.
The Annunciation with Saint Emidius by Carlo Crivelli
Date: 1486
Carlo Crivelli’s “The Annunciation with Saint Emidius” is another Renaissance painting that has drawn attention for its intriguing detail. The painting depicts the angel Gabriel announcing to the Virgin Mary that she will bear the Son of God. A circular disk, which some interpret as a UFO, hovers in the sky and emits a beam of light onto Mary.
Historians argue that this disk represents a celestial phenomenon symbolizing the descent of the Holy Spirit but the detailed of the disk-like shape stirs theories that the artist may have been inspired by a UFO-like object. This is the painting that I remembered about while watching Investigation Alien, the UFO’s firing beams of light at the Brazilian people. Eerily similar!
Triumph of Summer Tapestry
Date: 1538
This Flemish tapestry, “Triumph of Summer,” shows a procession of people beneath a sky filled with what appear to be disk-shaped objects. Many people consider these floating disks to be look suspiciously like UFO’s given their distinct shape and arrangement.
The interpretation varies with some suggesting that these could be symbolic representations of astronomical bodies or supernatural elements. Others speculate that they represent a meteor shower or clouds. Whatever the intent, this tapestry is one of the earliest known artworks to contain imagery that resembles modern day accounts of UFOs.
Israel, Put Your Hope in the Lord by Jan van Eyck
Date: Early 15th Century
Jan van Eyck, a pioneer of early Netherlandish painting, created various works filled with intricate details and symbolism. In one lesser-known piece, some viewers believe that Van Eyck subtly included strange orbs in the sky which resemble UFOs.
Although art historians argue these are likely celestial or spiritual symbols, they contribute to the growing body of UFO speculation surrounding historical art. Van Eyck’s skillful use of light and shadow often leaves room for different interpretations, making this an intriguing piece to examine.
In each of these art works the strange UFO like shapes could be nothing more than symbols of divinity or spirituality as art historians suggest. During these times artists used the sky to show divine messages or cosmic symbolism. Yet, the UFO like appearance of these objects fuel the theory that these could be actual eyewitness depictions that have been passed down through generations and encoded in art.
Did these artists actually witness mysterious objects in the sky or were they even inspired by stories and legends of cosmic visitors? I guess we may never know for sure.
What is your take on these?
