(Video) Reconstructing face of St. Anthony and other saints

[Michie]

We often wonder if the saints really looked like their depictions on holy cards. Researchers and digital artists are using the latest tech to try and find out.​

Images of the saints are extremely important to Catholics. They are a reminder that the holy men and women who we venerate and ask to intercede for us were flesh and blood human beings. Of course, the vast majority of saints were born long before the invention of photography. We can’t help but wonder if St. Anthony, for instance, really looked like the typical image of him that we see on holy cards. And what about St. Peter or St. Joan of Arc?

In St. Anthony’s case at least, it turns out thatthe traditional image of the saint may bear little relationship to his actual appearance in life.

Reconstructing a saint​

Continued below.

(Video) Reconstructing face of St. Anthony and other saints

We often wonder if the saints really looked like their depictions on holy cards. Researchers and digital artists are using the latest tech to try and find out.

aleteia.org