Here are the most important terms we will be using throughout this year's study; please be sure you get well acquainted with all of them:
- THEME: the general content of the artwork (general aspect/subject) (e.g., the landscape)
- SUBJECT-MATTER: the sum of identifiable objects, persons, places, references in the artwork (e.g., the rose garden)
- MEANING (or, CONTENT): is revealed through interpretation; sometimes the title may be of help, but most often than not, it is shown through careful iconographic and/or iconological interpretation
- ICONOGRAPHY: the overt or hidden symbolism in the artwork, rendered through images (signs, symbols)
- ICONOLOGY: the meaning revealed through the study of the cultural, social, and historical background of the artwork (through literary, historical, etc., texts)
- DESCRIBING ART: the verbal pointing to the features; a means of gathering the support for interpretations; it concerns the subject matter, the most expressive formal elements, the principles of design, etc.
- ANALYSING ART: explaining how the described elements get their meanings, the artist's choices; inferring meaning; evaluating technique
- INTERPRETING ART: a most important and complex activity; the arriving at the meaning of the artwork by employing different strategies of interpreting based on the information gathered through iconographical and iconological insights
- EVALUATING ART: determining how good the artwork is, according to some criteria, either clearly stated or implied, while providing reasons and evidence for judgments
Task: Watch the video. What is the role of iconography in understanding a work of art, and how does it work?
Deadline: Oct 13
Părăuan Francesca-Lorelai
ReplyDeleteDepartment: design
After watching the video, the way I understand it, iconography has a great role in understanding and deciphering specific works of art, its message, or meaning being based on a theme that is derived outside the artwork, from a sourced text. In other words, while viewing a piece of art, for example: "The lamb", we might not be able to clearly name the true, deep meaning and theme behind it, until we've read the text that the artist took inspiration from, or has been commissioned to represent when making it. Context is the answer for the meaning behind those artworks, helping us get a better perspective to what is actually being represented in front of us, because symbolism is used to tell the true story. Iconography is also a way of communicating an idea, personal view about society or internal portraits. The only exception from iconographic analysis being helpful when understanding a work of art, is modern art, since the modern artist's intention is to specifically challenge the relation between image and text.
Iconography is the imagery ,it`s the images and symbols in it used as interpretation in the artworks.Like the lamb in christian religion that represents Christ.I can also personal.
ReplyDeleteICONOGRAPHY: the overt or hidden symbolism in the artwork, rendered through images (signs, symbols).
ReplyDeleteStarting from this definition, let's see what iconography means in works of art and how it influences the way we understand the author's message. The oconography ia a imagery , it is a visual image and a symbol in it. These image and symbols have their own meaning giving by a particular range of system chosen by artist. This means that we refer to a source text outside the art work. The meaning is derived from what is epicted rather than how is depicted.
When we reading a peace of art with iconographic lens we are focusing on the relations between these images or icons and the text outside the Work. Icon come from Greek an means the image traditionaly associated with the portret style images of the Christ or other Holly image like Virgin Maria which are venerate among Christians and Catholics. Icon was a portret of Christ used as a object of devotion but the religious art along the time had treir oun sets of iconography such as, ‘the lam” which represent the Crist, ‘the dove” which represent the Holly Spirit,etc. Clasical art has it’s own sets of iconography for example, a dove near the beautiful woman represent Goddess Afrodita or Venus. The meaning of particular imagies depend of context.
Wiliam Black for example, invented his own sets of iconography to illustrate his version of God, Pablo Picasso’s iconography is mostly autobiographical and Beuy developed a iconography of substances like, fat, hony,felt to expresss his ideas of society. The Renascence and Clasical art the meaning of icography and symbols is very clear because there is the influence of The religious doctrine and of the mithlogy but in the modern art where the artist illustrate their peace of art by a bunch of things like abstraction or ready made objects that screw up wths the system. In modern art, we can hardly understand the reference behind the work and the meaning and message conveyed by the author.
Dracea Luca-Vlad
ReplyDeleteFoto-Video
Anul 2
The Role of Iconography in Understanding Art
Iconography is the study of images and symbols in artworks, helping to decipher their deeper meanings, beyond visual aspects such as color or shape. It connects visual symbols with cultural, religious, or mythological contexts, thus providing a more complete interpretation of the artist's message.
The term comes from the Greek word "icon," which originally designated religious paintings. Today, iconography analyzes various symbols, from religious ones — such as the lamb or dove in Christianity — to mythological or personal symbols used by artists.
Iconography works by relating images to external texts and traditions, which makes it possible to understand the work more deeply. However, this method is most effective in narrative and traditional art, having limitations in the case of modern or abstract art.
In conclusion, iconography helps us better understand the hidden messages in art, making visible a world of meanings that would otherwise remain unseen.
Iconography helps us understand the meaning of an art piece, through descriptive terms, interpretation and even philosophical ideas that are created or explained by critiques in related with the art piece, the artist himself and the period of history. These texts or discourses have shaped up a therm called `signs in semiotics` which encapsulates: `that anything that communicates a meaning that is not the sign itself` basically iconography but more on the symbol aspect of art.
ReplyDeleteGiving us the explanation that we may need after viewing a weird or complex art piece that we don’t necessarily understand, by `entering` the universe of the art piece or subject matter.
Tamba Laura - ceramica
Hodiș Thomas
ReplyDeleteDesign-Anul II
I think that iconography is essential in discovering the hidden layers of meaning for a work of art. It acts as a key that helps us understand what lies beyond the visible surface, revealing how certain images or things are used to represent complex ideas or beliefs. It encourages us to look at symbols and understand what they mean in different cultures or in a diffrent historical context. For instance a seemingly simple object or an animal like "the dove", can have a deep symbolic value and the whole meaning of the painting instantly changes for the viewer. This way of thinking, this approach teaches us to transform the act of looking at a painting in something tottaly diffrent, it guides us into a deeper understanding of it, we don't see just a "dove" we see the Holy Spirit. Still, in the case of modern and abstract art, iconography becomes less important since many artists want to let the audience find their own meaning. In the end, iconography remains a beautiful way to give a deeper meaning and understanding of art.
Iconography helps us understand a work of art by explaining the meaning behind the images and symbols that appear in it. It focuses on what the artist chose to represent and what those choices stand for in a wider cultural or personal context. In other words, it shows how visual elements can communicate ideas, stories, and beliefs.
ReplyDeleteWhen we use iconography, we look at an artwork and ask questions like: What do these objects or figures mean? Where do they come from? For example, in Christian art, a lamb often represents Christ, and a dove symbolizes the Holy Spirit. In classical mythology, a woman with a dove might represent Aphrodite. These meanings come from traditions and texts that exist outside the artwork itself.
Iconography works by identifying these symbols, connecting them to their sources, and then interpreting what they mean in the context of the artwork. This process helps us understand not just what is shown, but also the message or feeling the artist wanted to express.
It’s especially useful in older art, like Medieval or Renaissance paintings, where artists used a shared visual language of symbols to communicate religious or moral ideas. However, some modern artists, such as William Blake, Picasso, or Joseph Beuys, created their own personal iconography to express their inner world or experiences.
Overall, iconography allows us to read artworks almost like texts—it helps us uncover layers of meaning and understand how images can tell stories, represent beliefs, or reflect the artist’s personal vision.
Ispir Alexandru-Leonardo, Arte Textile-Design Textil, anul 2, instead of one classroom homework
ReplyDeleteIconography plays an important role in understanding a work of art because it helps us see the meaning behind the images, not just the images themselves. When artists include certain symbols,like a skull, a dove, a crown, or a certain gesture,they are not choosing them by accident. These symbols carry ideas that viewers can recognize. For example, a skull often suggests death or the passing of time, while a dove usually represents peace. By noticing these signs, we start to understand what the artist is trying to say.
Iconography works in a straightforward way. First, we look at the artwork and identify the objects, figures, or symbols that stand out. Then we think about what those symbols usually mean in culture, history, or religion. Finally, we connect those meanings to the artwork as a whole. This helps us interpret the deeper message behind the picture. In this way, iconography allows us to “read” an artwork the same way we might read a story by understanding the symbols and the ideas they represent.
Oprian Maya Gabriela Design textil anul II instead of one classroom homework:Iconography helps us understand the deeper meaning of a work of art.
ReplyDeleteIt focuses on the symbols, signs, and images that the artist includes in their work. For example, a dove can symbolize peace, a skull can symbolize death, and a rose can symbolize love. These symbols give us clues about what the artwork is really about, even if the title or the subject seems simple.
First, we look carefully at the objects, shapes, and images in the artwork. Then, we think about what these symbols usually mean in history, culture, or religion. By connecting the visual clues to their meanings, we can understand the ideas or messages the artist wants to communicate.
Iconography is like reading a hidden language in art. It helps us move from just seeing the picture to understanding the story, message, or meaning behind it.
Barlea Georgiana-Ioana
ReplyDeleteFoto - Video (2nd year)
For credits
Role of iconography in understanding a work of art
Iconography plays a key role in moving beyond simple description toward meaning. While description identifies what we see, iconography helps explain what those elements stand for. It focuses on images, symbols, gestures, and attributes that carry culturally shared meanings.
How iconography works
First, the viewer identifies recurring or unusual elements in the artwork (objects, figures, colors, poses). Next, these elements are linked to symbolic meanings established through tradition, religion, literature, or visual conventions (for example, a skull as a symbol of death or a mirror as a sign of truth or vanity). Finally, these symbolic readings are brought together to suggest a coherent interpretation of the work’s content.
Through iconography, a work of art is understood not just as a visual composition, but as a system of signs that communicates ideas shaped by its cultural and historical context.
Iconography is the way an artist give meaning and context to the viewer outside of the art work.It uses symbols and images that have meaning and that have the role of representing something, for example, in Christianity the lamb represent Christ and the dove represent the holy spirit. Iconography helps us understand an art work and the artist intentions better giving us more context. Symbolism is used to this day in modern art works, is a great way for artists to address themes and topics in today's society.
ReplyDeleteIconography is essential for understanding a work of art because it focuses on the images, symbols, and visual signs and the meanings attached to them. Rather than emphasizing formal elements like color or line, iconography connects what is depicted to sources outside the artwork, such as religious beliefs, myths, historical events, or cultural traditions. For example, in Christian art, a lamb or a dove carries symbolic meaning recognized through shared knowledge.
ReplyDeleteThrough iconographic analysis, the viewer moves from simply describing subject matter to interpreting meaning, linking what is visible with what is known from texts, traditions, or cultural context. At the same time, it can be a personal mark as well, some artists also create personal iconographies, where understanding their biography or ideas is essential. Iconography is less effective for modern or contemporary art that challenges fixed meanings.
Overall, iconography helps us understand a work of art by revealing the layers of meaning behind images, allowing interpretation to move from what is depicted to what is signified, and therefore, toward a deeper understanding of the artwork’s content.
Peterfi Maria-Sara
ReplyDeletemoda-design vestimentar
for credits
Iconography plays a crucial role in understanding a work of art because it focuses on the visual symbols, images, and motifs used by the artist and what they represent beyond the surface appearance. It helps viewers interpret artworks by linking what is shown to cultural, religious, or mythological meanings that lie outside the artwork itself. When we read a work with an iconographic lens, we pay attention to how these symbols connect to stories, ideas, or traditions that the artist expected the viewer to know. For example, certain objects like the lamb or the dove in Christian art can signify Christ or the Holy Spirit.
Iconography can also vary in how personal or cultural the symbols are, depending on the artist’s intentions. Ultimately, it helps bridge the gap between what we see and what the artwork intends to communicate.
Gogan Eduard Ionut, grafica, an 2
ReplyDelete- instead of one missing homework assignment on classroom -
Iconography comes from the Greek term "eikon" meaning image and represents the imagery, symbols, themes and subjects in art.
One fundamental aspect of iconography is it's symbolism. For example, in Christian art the depiction of a lamb can represent Christ himself or just the concept of innocence, a skull can be a stand-in for mortality, a dove or a ray of light most of the times represents angels, etc.
The role of Iconography in art can not be understated, it is what adds depth and meaning to an artwork after all. We as viewers can discover deeper meanings by studying it's themes and subjects that act as a visual language to communicate a message or a statement left by the artist.
Asztalos Győngyi - Szidonia / Foto-Video / anul 2
ReplyDeleteBased on the Smarthistory analysis, iconography is the study of the subject matter and symbols within a work of art. While formal analysis focuses on "how" a piece looks (line, color, composition), iconography focuses on "what" is being depicted and the deeper meaning behind those images.
The Role of Iconography
Iconography serves as a bridge between the viewer and the artist’s intended message. Its primary roles include:
Identification: It allows viewers to identify specific figures (e.g., recognizing a man with a lion as Saint Jerome).
Contextualization: It links the artwork to specific historical, religious, or social stories that would have been common knowledge to the artist's original audience.
Narrative Building: It turns a static image into a "text" that can be read, revealing the story or moral the artist wanted to tell.
How Iconography Works
Iconographic analysis typically follows a process of decoding layers of meaning, often associated with the method developed by art historian Erwin Panofsky:
Natural/Primary Subject Matter: Identifying basic forms (e.g., "a woman holding a baby").
Conventional Meaning: Applying cultural knowledge to those forms
Intrinsic Meaning (Iconology): Understanding the broader "spirit" or worldview of the period that led to the creation of the image (e.g., "the painting reflects 15th-century Florentine piety").
A Classic Example: The Arnolfini Portrait
To see iconography in action, look at the symbols often cited in Jan van Eyck’s Arnolfini Portrait:
The Dog: Frequently represents fidelity (faithfulness) in a marriage.
Discarded Shoes: Can signify that the figures are standing on "holy ground," suggesting a sacred event like a wedding.
The Single Candle: Often interpreted as the "eye of God" witnessing the scene.
The Mirror: A symbol of purity, but also a literal "witness" as it reflects the artist himself in the background.
Ciubăncan Maria
ReplyDeleteFoto-video pci
Anul 2 licenta
Based on the video, iconography refers to the visual images and symbols used in a work of art, as well as the study or interpretation of these images.
The primary role of iconography is to provide a framework for understanding the deeper meaning of an artwork by looking beyond its physical form.
External Reference: It refers to "source texts" and meanings that exist outside of the artwork itself.
Contextual Meaning: It allows the meaning of a piece to be derived from what is depicted (the subject matter) rather than just its internal elements like color or style.
Symbolic Identification: It helps viewers identify objects or images that have a "special meaning" attached to them, acting as a bridge between the image and a specific story or concept.
Iconography works by utilizing established systems of symbols that the viewer must recognize to "read" the artwork.
Systemic Symbols: It uses sets of images that represent specific ideas within a given context. For example, in Christian art, a lamb represents Christ and a dove represents the Holy Spirit.
Context Dependency: The same symbol can mean different things depending on the context. In classical mythology, a woman with a dove suggests the goddess Aphrodite or Venus, rather than a religious figure.
Personal Iconography: Some artists invent their own complex systems. For instance, Pablo Picasso’s iconography is often autobiographical, while Joseph Beuys used materials like felt and fat to express his personal ideas about society.
Analytical Limitations: This method works best for ancient, medieval, and Renaissance art where relationships between images and texts (like the Bible or myths) were well-established. It is often less effective for Modern Art, as these artists frequently challenge the traditional relationship between an image and its meaning through abstraction.
Lovasz-Pager Andrea, Conservare și restaurare, anul 2.
ReplyDeleteIconography plays a crucial role in understanding a work of art because it helps reveal the symbolic content that is not immediately visible on the surface. Through iconography, viewers can identify signs, symbols, and visual motifs within the artwork, which point to specific ideas, beliefs, or narratives. For example, certain objects, gestures, or colors may carry conventional meanings—such as a dove representing peace or a skull symbolizing mortality. By carefully analyzing these visual cues, the observer can interpret what the artist intended to communicate beyond the literal subject matter. Iconography works by connecting the visual elements in the artwork to cultural, religious, or historical knowledge, making it possible to uncover hidden messages and deeper layers of meaning. In practice, it often serves as a foundation for more complex activities like iconological analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, providing essential support for understanding both the content and the context of the artwork.
Rus Denisa Maria
ReplyDeleteConservare-restaurare an 3
What I like about iconography is how it makes you look twice at an artwork. At first, a painting might just seem like random shapes and colors, but small details, like a tiny object on a table or the way someone is holding something, can totally change what it’s saying. It’s kind of like the artist is leaving little hints for you, and you get to figure out the story bit by bit. I find it way more interesting than just staring at a painting and guessing.
Hutter Doris-Maya
ReplyDeleteAnul II licență - DESIGN
Iconography helps us understand a work of art by interpreting the images and symbols it contains in relation to meanings that come from outside the artwork, such as religious texts, mythology, or cultural traditions. It works by identifying visual elements and linking them to established symbolic systems chosen by the artist, allowing viewers to read deeper meanings beyond form, color, or style. Through this method, artworks—especially from ancient, medieval, and Renaissance periods—can be understood as part of broader belief systems and cultural contexts.
Fun fact:
The word “icon” originally referred specifically to ”religious images of Christ” used in the Orthodox Church—and some of these images were believed to be so powerful that people thought they could ”perform miracles”, which is why debates over destroying or worshipping icons (called ”Iconoclasm”) became so intense in Byzantine history.
Toth Kriszta Bianca
ReplyDeleteArte textile Design textil
Anul II
Iconography plays a central role in understanding a work of art because it allows us to decode the meaning behind the images, signs, and symbols used by the artist. By identifying these symbols, such as a halo for holiness or a skull for mortality, and linking them to the cultural, historical, and social context of the artwork, we can uncover the content or message the artist intended to convey. Iconography therefore connects the subject-matter to the meaning or content of the artwork, providing essential insight that goes beyond simply describing its visual features.
Lazar Alexandru Andrei
ReplyDeleteModa, anul 2 licenta
Iconography plays a crucial role in understanding a work of art because it helps identify and interpret the signs, symbols, and visual motifs through which meaning is communicated. While description focuses on what is visibly represented, iconography goes further by revealing the symbolic significance of objects, figures, gestures, or colours that may not be immediately obvious to the viewer.
Iconography works by linking visual elements in an artwork to shared cultural codes, traditions, myths, religious beliefs, or conventions. For example, a lamb may symbolize innocence or sacrifice, while a skull may signify mortality. Recognizing these symbols allows the viewer to move beyond surface description toward interpretation. Titles can sometimes guide iconographic reading, but more often meaning emerges through careful observation and comparison with established symbolic systems.
By decoding visual symbols, iconography provides the foundation for deeper interpretation and prepares the ground for iconology, which situates the artwork within its broader historical and cultural context. Thus, iconography is essential for transforming visual observation into informed understanding of a work of art.
Gavriloie Anuța Nicoleta
ReplyDeleteFoto-Video PCI
anul 3
Iconography plays an important role in understanding a work of art because it helps us identify and interpret the symbols and images used by the artist. Through iconography, we can discover meanings that are not obvious at first sight and connect the visual elements to cultural, religious, or historical contexts.
Iconography works by linking what we see in the artwork to ideas and texts that exist outside the image itself. For example, a lamb can represent Christ, and a dove can symbolize peace or the Holy Spirit. By recognizing these symbols, the viewer can better understand the message and intention of the artist.
In this way, iconography allows us to move beyond simple description and reach a deeper interpretation of the artwork as a whole.
Iconography is essential to understanding art because it focuses on the symbols and images within a work and the meanings they draw from sources outside the artwork itself. Rather than how something is depicted, iconographic analysis emphasizes what is depicted and the cultural, religious, or personal systems that give those images meaning. In religious and classical art, symbols such as the lamb or the dove had clear meanings because they were rooted in shared beliefs and texts, making interpretation more straightforward.
ReplyDeleteSome artists, however, created their own iconographic systems to express personal or social ideas. In contrast, modern art often challenges traditional iconography through abstraction and unconventional imagery, making meanings less fixed and more open to interpretation.
Tokes Tamas Grafica Anul 2 (That is also the deadline for those of you who do not have the number of tasks for the credits to solve the respective number of tasks on the blog, WITHOUT ANY POINTS attached)
ReplyDeleteIconography has an important role in understanding a work of art because it helps us recognize symbols and visual signs used by the artist. Many artworks include objects, figures or gestures that had specific meanings for people in the time the work was created.
Iconography works by identifying these symbols and connecting them to religious, mythological or cultural references. For example, an object that looks ordinary can actually represent an idea or value that was well known in that historical context. Without knowing this, the artwork can be misunderstood or only partially understood.
In conclusion, iconography helps the viewer go beyond simple description and allows a deeper interpretation of the artwork by revealing hidden or symbolic meanings.
Task
ReplyDeleteIconography refers primarily to the use of symbolism, a usage that has an underlying meaning than what we simply see on the surface. The symbols or images usually have an already long established meaning, helping the viewer "read" the art if he knows beforehand about the nuance and depth of the symbol meanings. The use of these symbols as stated before help the viewer identify certain themes and aspects of an artwork, but also the artist to more effectively communicate these topics to the viewers, we can compare symbolism to sort of an "artistic unwritten dictionary", having themes that may have historical roots but also new meanings being created everyday and shared by many artists and viewers alike.