Overview

Why is there a lily in that religious picture? Why is there a bubble in that still-life? Great works of arts from all periods often have details or objects that carry symbolic meanings. Sometimes those symbols would have been obvious to contemporary viewers but now need explaining to a modern audience who are less familiar with, say, Christian iconography or Classical myths. In other cases, the symbolism is deliberately obscure designed to add a hidden layer of meaning to the work, to make the viewer work at its true meaning. And it's not just works from earlier history where symbolism is used: trains crop up in the background of many Impressionist paintings as a way of referencing the modern world. Other artists have their own private symbols, like Josef Beuys whose regular use of felt and animal fat was a link to the experiences of his earlier life.This book includes hundreds of symbols from across different periods and styles of art history. Each one is illustrated with at least one example, and a number of paintings are fully 'dissected' to show the range of different symbols in each one.Organized by type of symbol and with extensive indexing, the book is an invaluable, easy-to-use guide to help readers get the most out of works of art.

Full Product Details

Author:   Susie Hodge
Publisher:   Quarto Publishing PLC
Imprint:   Frances Lincoln
Dimensions:   Width: 17.00cm , Height: 2.40cm , Length: 22.50cm
Weight:   0.880kg
ISBN:  

9781805700357

ISBN 10:   1805700359
Pages:   272
Publication Date:   07 May 2026
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

CONTENTS 6 Introduction The Natural World  Plants 12   Sunflower   14   Jasmine  16   Poppy 18   Forget-me-not  20   Daisy 22   Iris 24   Rose 26   Lotus 28   Lily 30   Carnation  32   Cypress 34   Laurel 36   Palm 38   Oak Fruit  42   Apple  44   Vine and Grapes 46   Olive and Olive Tree 48   Fig  50   Orange  52   Watermelon  54   Lemon  56   Banana 58   Pomegranate  60   Strawberry 62   Cherry  Animals 66   Horse  68   Snake 70   Monkey 72   Lion  74   Deer 76   Cat 78   Dog 80   Fish 82   Lobster 84   Dolphin 86   Seashell 88   Crane 90   Peacock 92   Falcon 94   Owl 96   Eagle 98   Dove 100  Raven and Crow 102  Feathers  Insects 106   Butterfly 108   Bee 110    Dragonfly  112    Beetle 114    Fly  Bodies 118    Skull 120   Blood 122   Heart 124   Hands  126   Eyes 128   Ears 130   Feet 132   Hair  Land, Water and Air 136   Mountains 138   Woods and Forests 140   Rivers 142   Sea 144   Clouds  146   Rain 148   Sun  150   Moon  152   Stars The Manmade World The Home 158   Bed 160   Chairs  162   Mirrors  164   Clock  166   Hourglass  168   Book 170   Globe 172   Window 174   Door 176   Scale 178   Key Clothing 182   Shoe 184   Glove 186   Mask  188   Jewellery 190   Umbrella Music  194   Trumpet 196   Lute 198   Flute 200  Piano  Objects 204   Weapons  206   Chains 208   Cross 210    Balloon Food 214   Bread 216   Egg 218   Chocolate 220   Onion and Garlic 222   Corn The Supernatural World 226   Dragon 228   Halo 230   Phoenix 232   Angel Colours and Shapes Colours  238   Red 240   Yellow 242   Blue  244   Green 246   Purple  248   Orange 250   Pink  252   White 254   Black  Shapes 258   Triangle  260   Circle  262   Square  264   Spiral 266 Index  271 Credits 272 Acknowledgements 

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Author Information

Susie Hodge MA, FRSA, is an art historian, artist and journalist with more than 100 books in print on art history, practical art and history. She also writes magazine articles, web resources and booklets for galleries, and lectures around the world.

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