About this item
Thoroughly user-friendly and covering a broad historical sweep, this book is a reference guide to fifty of the most frequently occurring symbols in global art history.Iconography, or the study of symbols -- be they animals, artifacts, plants, geometric shapes, or gestures -- is an essential aspect of interpreting art. One of the most consistent features of human society throughout time has been the use of visual symbols, which often act as substitutions for the written word, crossing dialects and borders and uniting understandings of the world through a shared language. Incorporating and analyzing a wealth of cultures, Symbols in Art serves as a reference guide to fifty of the most frequently occurring symbols in global art history from 2300 BCE to the present day, exploring their subtle implications and covert meanings.
About the Author
Matthew Wilson is a teacher of History of Art and a freelance writer on cultural topics for (amongst others) the BBC, Aesthetica Magazine, and Smarthistory - the world's most-visited art historical website.
