The Vatican is returning to its ancient tradition of art patronage with a biblical show at the Venice Biennale commissioned to revive the rapport between art and faith.

The exhibition explores themes from the Book of Genesis, so there are no images of the Madonna or suffering Christs, the Vatican said Wednesday.

Creation, Un-Creation, Re-Creation brings Czech photographer Josef Koudelka together with Italian artists and American Lawrence Carroll in a show that probes themes from the essence of human relationships to the destruction from natural disasters.

While Italian artists behind the Creation theme look at the origins of humanity, Koudelka's Un-Creation draws inspiration from Cain and Abel and "the material and ethical destruction" by man, the Vatican said. Carroll's Re-Creation uses salvage materials to create a sense of a fresh start.

Cardinal Ravasi, a principal organizer of the show, said Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, who resigned in February because of old age, had hoped the project would spark dialogue on the modern world and questions of faith.