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
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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.
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