This article is about iconography in art , digital graphics. see Icon.
Not to be confused with Iconograph or Iconology.
Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description, and the 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. 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). This usage, which many consider simply incorrect, is mostly found in works translated from languages such as Greek or Russian, with the correct term being “icon painting”.
Examples of Iconography
Iconography is the use of images and symbols to portray a subject, movement or ideal. It can also be the use of certain symbols that convey certain genres such as religious iconography, iconography in art and iconography in film and television. It can be learnt through various good courses like Graphic designing, advance graphic designing courses, Sketching And Drawing , Photoshop Course, Illustrator Course, CorelDraw Course, Advanced Graphic Designing Course, UI/UX Design In Photoshop, Digitalart In Photoshop & Illustrator, Certification In Digital Art Course, UI/UX Design Through Sketch and many more such courses.
Religious Iconography
Here are examples of religious iconography:
- The Virgin Mary is most often shown wearing a blue robe. This is symbolic of heaven and her spirituality.
- The cross has been a religious icon since the second century and represents Christianity. Marking the sign of the cross on someone’s forehead or chest was used to ward off demons.
- The Holy Spirit is many times shown as a dove. This comes from the story of Christ’s baptism when the Holy Spirit came from heaven like a dove. It is also used to represent an individual’s soul.
- Christ is sometimes represented with a fish symbol. This comes from the Greek “icthus”, which is an anagram for Savior, Jesus Christ and Son of God.
- A snake or monkey is used to represent evil.
- The purity of the Virgin Mary is shown with lilies in a vase and a bowl or urn of water.
- A halo, which is a circle of light surrounding a person, is widely used in religious paintings to denote a holy person or saint. Asian religious art uses flames, called mandorla, around the body or head.
Iconography in Art
Here are examples of iconography in art including cultural arts:
- A red poppy is an icon for remembering those killed in wars, especially in World War I. Poppies are worn as a way of sharing in the grief felt for those lost in war.
- The shape of a heart is widely used to symbolize love and romance.
- There have been several symbols used for peace, including the peace sign and holding the first two fingers in a “V” shape. In ancient times the olive branch was used, as well as the dove.
Iconography in Film and Television
- Icons for the Western genre of films includes ten gallon hats, spurs, horses, saloons, guns, jails, and the badge of the sheriff.
- Icons for horror movies may include young girls, haunted houses, and contrasting shadow and light in darkened places.
- Bad guys often wear black to symbolize evil and leather jackets, often black, are worn by rebels or tough guys.
- Thrillers are often filmed in urban neighborhoods whereas scary movies are often set in the suburbs.
- Science fiction movies have high tech gadgets and automobiles that fly.More Examples of Iconography
- Countries have symbols for their country including birds, animals, and plants. Many countries have chosen the eagle as their national animal, including the United States, Egypt, Serbia, Austria, the Philippines, Nigeria and Panama.
- Iconography includes the use of flowers and some examples are: the calla lily for death or grief, the red rose for love and passion, and mistletoe for love and affection (as used by kissing under it).
- Flags symbolize the country and even the colors have meaning. Red often represents bravery, blood, or revolution; blue can mean freedom, peace, or justice; green may symbolize agriculture, the earth, or Islam; and white may represent purity, innocence, or snow.
- The Statue of Liberty is used as an icon of freedom, friendship, immigration and enlightenment.
What is the purpose of iconography?
- 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 language. Its primary purpose is to understand and explicate the meaning behind what is represented.
What is the meaning of iconography in art?
- Iconography, the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts. The term can also refer to the artist’s use of this imagery in a particular work.
What is the difference between symbolism and iconography?
- As nouns the difference between symbolism and iconography is that symbolism is representation of a concept through symbols or underlying meanings of objects or qualities while iconography is a set of specified or traditional symbolic forms associated with the subject or theme of a stylized genre of art.
How do you do iconography?
The 10 main rules of iconography are:
- Make it symbolic and meaningful.
- You’ve heard it: Keep it simple. Style should not compromise legibility.
- Be intentional and thoughtful. Think before you create.
- Make sure it works in different sizes.
- Keep uniformity in mind.
- Vectors only, please!
- Only use colors when necessary, and do so carefully.
- It helps to know basic geometry.
- Think “affordance” to make sure the designed icon will help the overall design.
- Iconography is a language that should be universal.
- Bonus: The alphabet is just a set of 26 icons.
What is visual iconography?
- Iconography, the science of identification, description, classification, and interpretation of symbols, themes, and subject matter in the visual arts. The term can also refer to the artist’s use of this imagery in a particular work.
What is iconography in graphic design?
- Iconography is a visual language used to represent features, functionality, or content. Icons are meant to be simple, visual elements that are recognized and understood immediately.
What is brand iconography?
- Brands which renew their iconography whilst protecting its integrity build strong brand connection and equity. These brands become iconic. Managing a brand’s Iconography refers to the process of identifying, analysing and optimising the concrete elements which project the intended brand experience.
To get more information’s about Iconography please check some below given links.
External Links:-
- Warburg Institute Iconographic Database
- Iconography of Deities and Demons in the Ancient Near East (Project of the Swiss National Science Foundation at the Universities of Zurich and Fribourg)
- Web site for European Sacred Mountains, Calvaries and Devotional Complexes
- Sacred Icons in Modern Era about the Cult of Great Mother
- LIMC-France—iconography of ancient mythology.
- Christian Iconography
- What iconographers do – case study
- “Semiotics and Iconography” from the Handbook of Visual Analysis