What does the term iconography literally mean?
Let’s begin by explaining what the word “iconography” literally means. It comes from two Greek words, eikon (meaning “image”) and graphe (meaning “writing”). Together we get “image-writing,” so the word “iconography” conveys the idea that an image can tell a story.
What level of meaning explains the concept of iconography?
At a basic level, we can think of iconography as the conveyance of deeper meanings through simple visualizations. It makes use of symbolism to generate narrative, which in turn develops a work’s meaning.
What is iconography art history?
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 a motif simple definition?
A motif is a repeated pattern—an image, sound, word, or symbol that comes back again and again within a particular story.
When did iconography start?
The earliest iconographical studies, published in the 16th century, were catalogs of emblems and symbols collected from antique literature and translated into pictorial terms for the use of artists. The most famous of these works is Cesare Ripa’s Iconologia (1593).
How is iconography related to visual literacy?
Over time, icons and symbols have provided the literate and illiterate with visual representations to convey meaning. Today, icons and symbols are used more widely for environmental uses like wayfinding, in user interfaces, and for communicating information to a more universal audience.
What is motif and examples?
A motif is a recurring idea or concept throughout a text. A symbol is an object that represents something it is not. A common example is that a heart is a symbol for love. A writer may use a symbol to reinforce motif. Let’s look at an example continuing with the “death” motif from above.
What is the difference between symbol and motif?
While a symbol might occur once in literature to signify an idea or an emotion, a motif can be an element or idea that repeats throughout that piece of literature. It is closely related to a theme but is more of a supporting role to the theme than a theme itself.
What is iconography, and why is it used?
You notice that the bride holds her garment in front of her belly in order to appear pregnant.
What is iconography and what are some examples?
the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject.
What does the word iconography mean?
The word iconography comes from the Greek εἰκών (“image”) and γράφειν (“to write” or to draw ). A secondary meaning (based on a non-standard translation of the Greek and Russian equivalent terms) is the production or study of the religious images, called “icons”, in the Byzantine and Orthodox Christian tradition (see Icon ).
What are three examples of iconography?
Examples of Iconography: 1. The color red symbolizes death and was used as foreshadowing in the movie the sixth sense with Bruce Willis. Any time a dead person was in a room, there was something red in the scene. 2. The Cross has always been a symbol of Christianity in religion. 3. In films, the western genre would include icons like the cowboy