Pentecost, c. 1440, Bartolomeo di Tommaso, Italian (Umbria), Italian (Umbria), active 1425 - 1453/54, 19 x 7 in. (48.26 x 17.78 cm) (panel), Tempera on panel, Italy, 15th century, In this scene from the New Testament, the twelve apostles were gathered in a room after Christ's death and ascension into heaven. Suddenly there appeared on each of them tongues of fire. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, represented by the dove above them, and each began to speak in a different language. The theme of Pentecost is common in Christian art after the Middle Ages, since it marks the birth of the Church itself.