(EECA2) Theme of Symbolism and Iconography

Theme of Symbolism and Iconography

Symbols are pictures, images, or objects used to represent ideas, concepts, beliefs, attitudes, or feelings. Symbols can have deep meaning and can evoke powerful emotion.

For a symbol to have significance, its meaning must be known and understood by the viewers. Symbols can be political, such as a nation's flag, or inspirational, like the five interconnecting circles that represent the spirit of the Olympic Games. Symbols can also be personal, such as a coat of arms representing a family. Some symbols transcend individual nations, faiths and ethnicities, such as the olive branch or dove as symbols of peace.

Symbols in art are humans' oldest form of visual communication. Artists have incorporated symbols into their work since humans first began to delve into the world of visual expression and they painted on cave walls and rock outcroppings. Long before the advent of written language, man used symbols to convey what he did and did not understand of the world.

The use of symbols in art can be found in nearly every culture and historical period. Hieroglyphics were embedded into every aspect of ancient Egyptian art: tombs, paintings, statuary and decorative arts. The ankh, a hieroglyphic pictograph representing life, still has symbolic meaning today. The ancient Greek civilization is known for its use of symbols in art. Greek gods and goddesses, such as Athena (goddess of war and wisdom), Dionysus (god of wine) and Poseidon (god of the sea) appear throughout Greek art with their representative symbols: Athena with the owl and olive tree, Dionysus with grapes and wine cup, and Poseidon with his trident. The ancient Romans appropriated and renamed many of the Greek's mythological figures. Their symbols were retained. For example, Dionysus, god of wine in Greek mythology, becomes Bacchus in Roman myth. The name changed, yet the symbolic grapes and vines that represent him in Greek art also appear in Roman art.

Medieval art relies heavily on symbols and iconography. The complex iconography found in early Christian art would include the crucifix, snakes, haloes, flowers, fruit, the lamb, the good shepherd, and crowns to name a few. The large, circular rose windows which are characteristic of Gothic cathedrals are much more than architectural elements providing light and beauty to the structure. The circular shape and light-emitting stained-glass represented the eye of God - his presence in the cathedral.

Robert Campin and Jan van Eyck are examples of artists that use a device called "disguised symbolism" in their work. The Mérode altarpiece and the Arnolfini Portrait, also known as the Arnolfini Wedding, are examples. Every object in the room, such as the mirror, the dog, mouse trap, or the single burning candle, holds symbolic meaning. Renaissance artists in both Italy and Northern Europe borrowed symbolism from both the ancient world and the medieval period. German painter Albrecht Dürer packed many of his works with symbols that related to the subject.

Symbols appear in artistic periods and movements after the Renaissance as well, such as those found in the still-life paintings of the Baroque period, the allegorical paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites, and the Symbolist movement of the late 19th century. The works of such 20th century artists as Marc Chagall, Jasper Johns and Jim Dine often use symbols in or as its subject matter.

The use of symbols in art is not exclusive to Western artists. In Korean scroll paintings, forest animals playing in a meadow can be a symbol of immortality. Buddha sculptures are symbolic of peace and spiritual force. In Indian art, each element of the dancing Shiva holds symbolic significance, comprising creation, destruction, and blessing. It would be difficult to find a culture on the planet that has not at some time used the language of symbols in their works of art.

Questions for Thought

• What is a symbol?
• What is the difference between a symbol and an object?
• How are symbols used?
• What are symbols, and where can they be found?
• How do artists use symbolism to represent people and ideas in art?
• What values and beliefs are important to you?

 

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