Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art

Author: James Hall
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429962509
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 409

Book Description
The understanding and enjoyment of a work of art depends as much on the story it depicts as on the artist's execution of it. But what were once biblical or classical commonplaces are not so readily recognizable today. This book relates in a succinct and readable way the themes, sacred and secular, on which the repertoire of Western art is based. Combined here in a single volume are religious, classical, and historical themes, figures of moral allegory, and characters from romantic poetry that appeared throughout paintings and sculpture in Western art before and after the Renaissance. More than just a dictionary, this text places these subjects in their narrative, historical, or mythological context and uses extensive cross-referencing to enhance and clarify the meanings of these themes for the reader. The definitive work by which others are compared, this volume has become an indispensable handbook for students and general appreciators alike. This wholly redesigned second edition includes a new insert of images chosen by the author, as well as a new preface and index to highlight the ideas, beliefs, and social and religious customs that form the background of much of this subject matter.

Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art

Author: James Hall
Publisher: Harper & Row Barnes & Noble Import Division
ISBN:
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 392

Book Description
Comprehensible to interested laymen. Entries are succinct and absorbing.

Illustrated Dictionary Of Symbols In Eastern And Western Art

Author: James Hall
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 0429979568
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 930

Book Description
"A Companion volume to James Hall’s perennial seller Dictionary of Subjects & Symbols in Art. which deals with the subject matter of Christian and Western art, the present volume includes the art of Egypt, the ancient Near East, Christian and classical Europe, India and the Far East. Flail explores the language of symbols in art showing how paintings, drawings and sculpture express man shades of meaning from simple, everyday hopes and fears to the profoundest philosophical and religious aspirations. The book explains and interprets symbols from many cultures, and over 600 illustrations clarify and complement the text. There are numbered references throughout the text to the sacred Iitcra-1 ture, myths and legends in which the symbols had their origins. Details of English translations of the works are in the bibliography. The book includes an appendix of the transcription of Chinese, notes and references, bibliography, chronological tables and index."

Dictionary Of Subjects And Symbols In Art

Author: James Hall
Publisher: Westview Press
ISBN: 9780064301008
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 384

Book Description
Comprehensible to interested laymen. Entries are succinct and absorbing.

Symbols and Allegories in Art

Author: Matilde Battistini
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 9780892368181
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 384

Book Description
"The purpose of this volume is to provide today's readers and museum-goers with a tool for orienting themselves in the world of images and learning to read the hidden meanings of certain famous paintings."--Introduction.

Dictionary of Symbols in Western Art

Author: Sarah Carr-Gomm
Publisher: Checkmark Books
ISBN: 9780816033263
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 240

Book Description
A practical guide to the understanding and appreciation of Western Art. A delight to read and highly informative, the fascinating A-to-Z entries explore religious themes that have dominated Western painting and sculpture from its beginnings.

Symbols of Power in Art

Author: Paola Rapelli
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 160606066X
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 386

Book Description
This volume examines the ways that sovereign rulers have employed well-defined symbols, attributes, and stereotypes to convey their power to their subjects and rivals, as well as to leave a legacy for subsequent generations to admire. Legendary rulers from antiquity such as Alexander the Great, Julius Caesar, and Constantine have been looked to as models for their display of imperial power by the rulers of later eras. From medieval sovereigns such as Charlemagne and France's Louis IX to the tsars of Russia and the great European royal dynasties of the Hapsburgs, the Bourbons, and the Tudors, the rulers of each period have appropriated and often embellished the emblems of power employed by their predecessors. Even the second-tier lords who ruled parts of France and Italy during the Renaissance, such as the dukes of Burgundy, the Gonzaga of Mantua, and the Medici of Florence became adept at manipulating this imagery. The final chapter is reserved for Napoleon I, perhaps the ultimate master of symbolic display, who assumed the attributes of Roman emperors to project an image of eternal and immutable authority. The author examines not only regal paraphernalia such as crowns, scepters, thrones, and orbs, but also the painted portraits, sculptures, tapestries, carved ivories, jewelry, coins, armor, and, eventually, photographs created to display their owner's sovereign power, a vast collection of works that now forms a significant portion of the cultural heritage of Western civilization.

Nature and Its Symbols

Author: Lucia Impelluso
Publisher: Getty Publications
ISBN: 9780892367726
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 370

Book Description
"The Guide to Imagery series introduces readers to important visual vocabulary of Western art."--Back cover.

Dictionary of Symbolism

Author: Hans Biedermann
Publisher: Penguin
ISBN: 0452011183
Category : Language Arts & Disciplines
Languages : en
Pages : 481

Book Description
This encyclopedic guide explores the rich and varied meanings of more than 2,000 symbols—from amethyst to Zodiac.

Dictionary of Chinese Symbols

Author: Wolfram Eberhard
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134988648
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 336

Book Description
This unique and authoritative guide describes more than 400 important Chinese symbols, explaining their esoteric meanings and connections. Their use and development in Chinese literature and in Chinese customs and attitudes to life are traced lucidly and precisely. `An ideal reference book to help one learn and explore further, while simultaneously giving greater insight into many other aspects of Chinese life ... the most authoritative guide to Chinese symbolism available to the general reader today ... a well-researched, informative and entertaining guide to the treasure trove of Chinese symbols.' - South China Morning Post