Hall's Iconografisch Handboek by James Hall

It's usefully cross-referenced, too, which makes things easier for the reader who's looking to interpret the symbols of a specific painting - a very friendly reference book that works well for the beginner, I reckon.John Hall, a gifted historian and an active-duty career U.S. And though I read the whole thing through, it's one of those reference books that you could open up and dip into and find something informative and interesting on any random page.

That being said, within these limits this appears, to my limited knowledge, a rather exhaustive reference.

Greek and Roman sources predominate there's no mention of Celtic or Scandinavian myth here, for instance. Even those are somewhat limited - the religious influence is entirely Christian, as would largely be expected in Europe, and the mythology is classical. Of the art covered, the subjects and symbols come primarily from two sources: myth and religion. It rather gives the appearance of art in general, but Hall's focus is entirely European - if you're looking to understand symbolism in Asian or African art, for instance, look elsewhere. The title is somewhat misleading, however. This wholly redesigned second edition includes a new insert of images chosen by the author, as well as a new preface and index to highlight the ideas, beliefs, and social and religious customs that form the background of much of this subject matter.Įnormously thorough listing and explanation of subjects and symbols in art, and full of fascinating detail. The definitive work by which others are compared, this volume has become an indispensable handbook for students and general appreciators alike. More than just a dictionary, this text places these subjects in their narrative, historical, or mythological context and uses extensive cross-referencing to enhance and clarify the meanings of these themes for the reader. Combined here in a single volume are religious, classical, and historical themes, figures of moral allegory, and characters from romantic poetry that appeared throughout paintings and sculpture in Western art before and after the Renaissance. This book relates in a succinct and readable way the themes, sacred and secular, on which the repertoire of Western art is based. But what were once biblical or classical commonplaces are not so readily recognizable today. The understanding and enjoyment of a work of art depends as much on the story it depicts as on the artist's execution of it.

Hall's Iconografisch Handboek by James Hall