Iconography Definition Art History. Derived from the Greek words eikon meaning image or icon and graphia meaning description writing or sketch the word iconography is one of the least understood most abused and most flexible terms in the English languageIts primary purpose is to understand and. Analyze art like a professional with this art history glossary.
Considering a work of art in terms of the life of the person who made it creates one kind of historical context. An icon was originally a picture of Christ on a panel used as an object of devotion in the orthodox Greek Church from at least the seventh century on. Iconography is the description classification and interpretation of the subject matter of a work of art.
This work was followed by a number of significant late 16th-century works including Alciati 2004 Bolzani 1556 and Cartari 1556It was not until the start of the 20th century that interest turned once again toward the subject.
Iconography is the branch of art history which studies the identification description and the interpretation of the content of images. Ranging from general concepts like brushwork and composition to specific techniques including chiaroscuro and trompe loeil this arsenal of art terms offers everything you need to make the most out of your next museum visit. Iconography the science of identification description classification and interpretation of symbols themes and subject matter in the visual arts. Another more contemporary painting with icons embedded in it is Grant Woods American Gothic from the 1930s.
