Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography: Themes Depicted in Works of Art / Edition 1

by Helene E. Roberts

Overview

First published in 1998. The Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography compares the uses of iconographic themes from mythology, the Bible and other sacred texts, literature, and popular culture in works of art through various periods, cultures, and genres. Art historians now tend to study narrative themes depicted in works of art in relation to such subjects as gender and sexuality, politics and power, ownership and possession, ceremony and ritual, legitimacy and authority. The Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography reflects these new approaches by ordering the themes of various iconographic sources in particular biblical, mythological, and literary texts according to these new emphases.Each handsomely illustrated entry discusses the major relevant iconographic narratives and the historical background of each theme. A list of selected works of art that accompanies each essay guides the reader to examples in art that depict the theme under discussion. Each essay includes a list of suggested reading that provides further sources of information about the themes. A general bibliography of reference books is listed separately and can be used in association with all the essays. With 119 entries written by 42 experts, the Encyclopedia of Comparative Iconography is an important reference work for art historians, students of art history, artists, and the general reader.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781579580094
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/01/1998
Edition description:	2 Volume Set
Pages:	1150
Product dimensions:	8.25(w) x 11.00(h) x (d)

Table of Contents

Editor’s note and guide to usage; alphabetical list of entries; general reading list; encyclopedia entries a–Zz; notes on contributors; index of ancient mythological and historical personages, places, and concepts; index of judeo-christian personages, places, and concepts; index of references to the bible and other sacred books; index of other cultures, religions, and mythologies; index of artists and works of art; index of authors, literary texts, composers, filmmakers, and folktales; index of other names and terms.

Editorial Reviews

"Highly recommended for art, academic, and large public libraries." — Booklist/RBB
"Essential for reference collections and a wise personal investment for any scholar in the humanities." — Choice
"Highly recommended for art, academic, and large public libraries." — Reference & User Services Quarterly
"This useful intermediate reference work offers some fine introductory discussions of narrative themes in western art. It will be of use to docents and other students of western iconology." — Word Trade
"This is an excellent encyclopedia, a first of its kind and to be highly commended for its scholarship, novel arrangement and thoroughly indexing..It is essential for every art and reference library." — Reference Reviews

From the Publisher

Numerous contributors present essays on artists' uses and interpretations of some 120 narratives and themes from mythology, religion, and literature in various time periods, cultures, and art forms. Covering such concepts as abandonment, communion, marginality, misfortune, and sacrifice, the essays focus not on personages, but on their actions, the situations in which they find themselves, and the concepts they represent. The authors discuss these themes in terms of their incorporation in major iconographic narratives, their use by less well- known artists, their historical background, and their representation in allegories, gestures, costumes, composition, and other forms of visual expression. The editor includes indexes of ancient, classical, and Judeo- Christian persons, places, and concepts; references to the Bible and other sacred books; artists and works of art; authors and composers; literary texts; and other topics. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

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