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iconology

iconology

1 9.9
A study of pictures and their hidden meaning in art and society
  • noun
  • /ˌaɪkəˈnɑlədʒi/
  • Specialized
translation icon : iconología
  • In her thesis, she explored the iconology of Renaissance paintings and their symbolic representations.

Examples

  • Along similar lines, Hans Belting, a senior scholar of medieval and modern art, has recently joined the call for a new kind of history of the visual, a new approach to iconology based on rethinking the relation of the "body" to the "image," and one that also encompasses non-Western art.

    Academic text (2005)
  • In Studies in Iconology, he conceded that medieval attributes and features frequently "clung" to the new, archaeologically correct image of the Renaissance.

    Academic text (2005)
  • As the students' knowledge grows, we integrate basic Christian iconology. For example, the children will learn the elements of a crucifixion and will be asked to produce one based on what they have learned, copying from traditional images as well.

    Blog text (15)
  • Studies in Iconology, which Erwin Panofsky opened by recounting that on seeing him on the street, an acquaintance had lifted his hat.

    Academic text (2004)
  • One aim of this essay is to address the issue of interpretations of nineteenth-century art by considering the limits of certain interpretative methods associated with iconography and iconology.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The idea of landscape as visual exegesis not only renders isolating iconology and the primacy of a textual source dubious but also challenges the prejudice of seeing the landscape as a neutral ground in which only the figures carry meaning.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The professor lectured on iconology, explaining how visual images convey cultural and political meanings.

  • Understanding iconology allows us to analyze artworks in their historical and social contexts.

Synonyms

iconography
vsiconology
  • Specialized
9 8.6

Images and symbols used to show ideas about a person, group, or movement and the study of them

focuses more on historical social or political meanings within artworks
symbology
vsiconology
4 9.5

The study or use of symbols that show ideas

applies specifically to art history and social or political image meanings

Surface Forms

iconology singular
iconologies plural

Morphology

iconology = icon (semi-transparent) = icon + ology

The word is transparently built from 'icon' + '-ology' as 'the study of images or symbols', but the art-historical specialization makes the full sense somewhat technical.

Etymology

The word iconology breaks into two parts: icon- from Greek eikon meaning 'image', like the English word icon, and -logy meaning 'study'. So iconology is the 'study of images' and how they carry meaning in art and politics.