Inquisition Court Collection

Milton visiting Galileo when a prisoner of the Inquisition, 1847. Artist: Hart, Solomon Alexander (1806-1881)
Milton visiting Galileo when a prisoner of the Inquisition, 1847. Private Collection

Joseph Balsamo, comte de Cagliostro, before the Inquisition in Rome on April 14, 1791, 1791. Private Collection

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) before members of the Holy Office in the Vatican in 1633, 1847. Found in the Collection of Muse e du Louvre, Paris

Valenza Gradenigo before the Inquisition. Found in the Collection of Gallerie di Piazza Scala, Milano

Procession of the Holy Office. Artist: Goya, Francisco, de (1746-1828)
Procession of the Holy Office. Found in the collection of Museo del Prado, Madrid

The Inquisition Tribunal. Artist: Goya, Francisco, de (1746-1828)
The Inquisition Tribunal. Found in the collection of Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando, Madrid

Saint Dominic Presides over an Auto da Fe, c. 1495. Artist: Berruguete, Pedro (1450-1503)
Saint Dominic Presides over an Auto da Fe, c. 1495. Found in the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid

Convicted by the inquisition, Second Half of the 19th cen Artist: Lucas Velazquez, Eugenio (1817-1870)
Convicted by the inquisition, Second Half of the 19th cen.. Found in the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid

Convicted by the inquisition, ca 1860. Artist: Lucas Velazquez, Eugenio (1817-1870)
Convicted by the inquisition, ca 1860. Found in the collection of the Museo del Prado, Madrid

Bernard Delicieux before the Inquisition Tribunal, ca 1881. Artist: Laurens, Jean-Paul (1838-1921)
Bernard Delicieux before the Inquisition Tribunal, ca 1881. Found in the collection of the State Hermitage, St. Petersburg

Galileo Galilei before the Holy Office. Artist: Chereau, Albert (19th century)
Galileo Galilei before the Holy Office. From a private collection

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"Inquisition Court: Unveiling the Dark Shadows of History" Step back in time to witness the chilling trials and tribulations that unfolded within the walls of the Inquisition court. From Joseph Balsamo, comte de Cagliostro, standing defiant before his accusers in Rome on April 14, 1791, to Galileo Galilei's fateful encounter with members of the Holy Office in Vatican City during 1633, these haunting moments have left an indelible mark on history. The Inquisition court was a place where faith clashed with reason and superstition reigned supreme. It became a battleground for those deemed heretics or threats to religious orthodoxy. Valenza Gradenigo found herself at its mercy, facing judgment for her beliefs as she stood resolute before its formidable presence. Even great minds like Milton sought solace amidst this oppressive atmosphere when he visited Galileo during his imprisonment by the Inquisition. The artist Solomon Alexander Hart captured this poignant moment in 1847, immortalizing their shared struggle against dogma and ignorance. Francisco Goya's evocative artworks depict both the solemnity and cruelty of these proceedings. His paintings showcase processions led by figures from Saint Dominic presiding over an Auto da Fe to somber depictions of The Inquisition Tribunal itself. These visual testimonies serve as reminders of humanity's capacity for fanaticism and persecution. Lucas Velazquez brings forth further glimpses into this dark chapter through his artistry. With conviction etched upon their faces, individuals convicted by the Inquisition are portrayed with striking realism - victims caught within a web spun by fear and intolerance. Bernard Delicieux stands tall yet vulnerable before the tribunal in Jean-Paul Laurens' painting from ca 1881; it captures both defiance and resignation simultaneously—a testament to one man's unwavering commitment to truth despite imminent danger.