Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct from artistic style.
What is iconography, and why is it used?
Iconography is the use of images and symbols to portray a subject, movement or ideal. It can also be the use of certain symbols that convey certain genres such as religious iconography, iconography in art and iconography in film and television.
What are three examples of iconography?
- You notice that the bride holds her garment in front of her belly in order to appear pregnant. ...
- The little dog at her feet is a symbol of fidelity, and is often seen with portraits of women paid for by their husbands.
- The discarded shoes are often a symbol of the sanctity of marriage.
What is iconography and what are some examples?
What is an example of iconography?
- the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject.
- pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject.
- the imagery or symbolism of a work of art, an artist, or a body of art.
- iconology.
What is the difference between "iconography" and "symbolism"?
“ As nouns the differences are that symbolism is representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities while iconography is a set of specified or traditional symbolic forms associated with the subject or theme of a stylized genre of art.”
What is the meaning of the iconography?
Definition of iconography 1 : the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject. 2 : pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject. 3 : the imagery or symbolism of a work of art, an artist, or a body of art.
Is iconography a form of art?
Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct from artistic style.
Which of the following is an example of iconography?
Basically, any visual depiction that is used to convey cultural or historical context or symbolic meaning represents an example of iconography. Imagery of food specific to a certain region is an example of iconography.
What are the types of iconography?
IconographyThe Four Types. Use icons to make reading quicker, more recognizable, engaging, and universal. ... Brand Recognition. Use icons and shapes to enhance immediate recognition. ... Mnemonics. ... Lines and Paths. ... Pictographs.
What is another word for iconography?
What is another word for iconography?drawingemblemikonimagelogomotifpicturerepresentationsymbolic representation1 more row
What are elements of iconography?
iconography, the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts. The term can also refer to the artist's use of this imagery in a particular work.
What is the difference between symbolism and iconography in art?
This includes implied meanings and symbolism that are used to convey the group's shared experience and history—its familiar myths and stories. Iconography refers to the symbols used within a work of art and what they mean, or symbolize.
How do you analyze iconography?
In iconographic analyses, art historians look at the icons or symbols in a work to discover the work's original meaning or intent. To accomplish this kind of analysis, they need to be familiar with the culture and people that produced the work.
How do you create an iconography?
In summary, the 10 main rules of iconography are:Make it symbolic and meaningful.You've heard it: Keep it simple. ... Be intentional and thoughtful. ... Make sure it works in different sizes.Keep uniformity in mind.Vectors only, please!Only use colors when necessary, and do so carefully.It helps to know basic geometry.More items...
What is iconography art example?
An iconography is a particular range or system of types of image used by an artist or artists to convey particular meanings. For example in Christian religious painting there is an iconography of images such as the lamb which represents Christ, or the dove which represents the Holy Spirit.
What is the difference between symbol and iconography?
So what is the difference between Icons and Symbols? Both symbols and icons represent other things, but an icon is a pictorial representation of the product it stands for whereas a symbol does not resemble what it stands for. A symbol represents products or ideas, whereas icons represent only items that are visible.
What are the three levels of iconography?
In iconographic terms, we basically see is the action in which a man takes his hat off his head....And so Panofsky identifies the three levels of understanding that we have already seen:The primary or natural,The secondary or conventional,The tertiary or intrinsic.
What is form of an art?
In relation to art the term form has two meanings: it can refer to the overall form taken by the work – its physical nature; or within a work of art it can refer to the element of shape among the various elements that make up a work.
What defines form art?
Form is one of the elements of visual art which pertains to the way that a shape or physical configuration occupies space. For a three-dimensional work of art like a sculpture or work of architecture, form is the shape, structure, and arrangement of components like length, width, and depth of a shape.
What is the difference between symbolism and iconography in art?
This includes implied meanings and symbolism that are used to convey the group's shared experience and history—its familiar myths and stories. Iconography refers to the symbols used within a work of art and what they mean, or symbolize.
What are the elements of arts?
ELEMENTS OF ART: The visual components of color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value. may be two-or three-dimensional, descriptive, implied, or abstract.
What is iconography in art?
Iconography, the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts. The term can also refer to the artist’s use of this imagery in a particular work. The earliest iconographical studies, published in the 16th century, were catalogs of emblems and symbols collected from antique literatureand translated into pictorial terms for the use of artists. The most famous of these works is Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia(1593). Extensive iconographical study did not begin in Europe until the 18th century, however, when, as a companion to archaeology, it consisted of the classification of subjects and motifs in ancient monuments.
When did iconography begin?
Extensive iconographical study did not begin in Europe until the 18th century , however, when, as a companion to archaeology, it consisted of the classification of subjects and motifs in ancient monuments. Read More on This Topic. Christianity: Art and iconography.
What is the most famous iconographical work?
The most famous of these works is Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1593).
What was the iconography of the 19th century?
In the 19th century, iconography became divorced from archaeology and was concerned primarily with the incidence and significance of religious symbolismin Christian art. In the 20th century, investigation of Christian iconography has continued, but the secularand classical iconography of European art has also been explored, as have the iconographic aspects of Eastern religious art.
What is the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual?
Iconography, the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts. The term can also refer to the artist’s use of this imagery in a particular work.
When did iconography become divorced from archaeology?
In the 19th century, iconography became divorced from archaeology and was concerned primarily with the incidence and significance of religious symbolism in Christian art. In the 20th century, investigation of Christian iconography has continued, but the secular and classical iconography of European art has also been explored, ...
Where are sacred objects found?
Sacred objects are found in all religious traditions, and sacred images in most. They are the material counterparts of myth inasmuch as they represent sacred realities of figures, as myths do in narrative form. Representing does not entail faithful copying of natural or human…
Iconography Frequently Asked Questions
Within the realm of technology, iconography has become a popular method for making communication efficient and accessible.
Design & UX Courses to Expand Your Career
With design and UX courses through Udemy, you can equip yourself with the skills needed to excel at your job.
Explore Careers
Uncover insights in salary, job demand, and top skills for careers that interest you.
Why is iconography important?
Iconography is an important part of film and television shows, with certain visual images or symbols used to convey key information about the story, genre or timeframe. Iconography provides visual cues as to the genre, plot or theme.
What is religious iconography?
The phrase religious iconography refers to the use of imagery to convey religious concepts and ideas or to depict religious events. Individual pieces of religious art can be referred to as icons. Additionally, certain images are used within artwork related to religion to convey specific or symbolic meaning.
What is the use of symbols and images to portray a subject, movement or ideal?
Iconography is the use of images and symbols to portray a subject, movement or ideal. It can also be the use of certain symbols that convey specific genres such as religious iconography , iconography in art and iconography in film and television. Discover a number of iconography examples related to religion, art, entertainment, ...
What does the red flag represent?
Red often represents bravery, blood or revolution; blue can mean freedom, peace or justice; green may symbolize agriculture, earth or Islam; and white may represent purity, innocence or snow. The iconography of flags is not limited to countries or states.
What does the apple symbolize?
In faiths that subscribe to the Old Testament, apples are symbolic in religious iconography. They symbolize both original sin and temptation offered by Satan. A halo, which is a circle of light surrounding a person, is widely used in religious paintings to denote a holy person or saint.
What is the flame in Asian art called?
Asian religious art uses flames, called mandorla, around the body or head. Many churches have stained glass windows that use visual images to tell stories related to their faith. In Catholic churches, these windows often feature iconography depicting the stations of the cross.
What does the cross represent?
The cross has been a religious icon since the second century and represents Christianity . A crucifix, which is a cross with Jesus on it, represents Catholicism. Other Christian faiths do not depict Jesus on the cross in their iconography. The Holy Spirit is often shown as a dove.
What Is Iconography?
- Iconography refers to a collection of particular types of images used by artists to communicate deeper meanings in their artwork. Iconographic analysis includes reading images critically in relation to relevant social and cultural values. Iconography is often understood to be a visual language that can teach viewers more about particular cultures a...
History of Iconography
- The word “iconography” is rooted in the Greek words ikon andgraph where the word ikon means “image” and graphmeans “to write.” Artists, artisans and craftspeople have been using icons and symbols to represent aspects of their cultures and societies for millenia. The earliest icons in visual art would represent religious or mythical figures. As early as the 7th century, images of Je…
Iconography in Western Religious Art
- In Western art, art historians commonly refer to Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia, from 1593, a book of emblems and their meanings, as an influence on the work of artists from the year of its publication onward. As an art historical discipline, iconography developed in the 19th century through the work of scholars who were specialists in Christian religious art: Adolphe Didron, Ant…
Iconography in Eastern Religious Art
- Much of the religious artwork of Eastern cultures, such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Sikhism, includes an iconography composed of many mudra and asana, or gestures and postures, that hold specific, ritualistic meanings. Much like the kneeling and hands in prayer common in Christian art, these mudra and asanarepresent divine qualities according to the stories told in sa…
Secular and Classical Iconography of European Art
- From the Renaissance period onward, secular painting became an increasingly popular alternative to Christian art. Naturally, Renaissance art developed its own iconographic conventions that include history painting, genre scenes, portraits, mythologies and even landscapes. Many symbols from Renaissance iconography influenced modern media and popular culture, including film, ph…
Notable Artists Using Iconography
- Jan van Eyck, c.1390-1441, Belgian
- Hieronymous Bosch, 1450-1516, Dutch
- Francisco Goya, 1746-1828, Spanish
- Paul Gauguin, 1848-1903, French
Related Art Terms
- Symbolism
- Fresco
- Renaissance Art
- Byzantine Art