Search:: Artists Alphabetically Artists by Country Artists by Century Artists by Movement
“All art is at once surface and symbol. Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril." - Oscar Wilde”Signs and Symbols in Art
The Meaning of Sacred Symbols in Paintings. Most prominently featured symbols and their meaning
Allegory of Christianity c.1515 by Jan Provoost
An old bearded man holding keys, a snake in an apple tree, a beautiful white lamb, a colorful peacock, a hovering white dove, a clever crow, a robin, a mirror—all are charmingly decorative to the average viewer but for painters of the Gothic, Early Renaissance and High Renaissance Northern Renaissance period, symbols were part of a rich visual language. In a culture of restricted literacy symbolic imagery was vital in keeping sinners on the path to heaven.
Byzantine, Gothic Northern Renaissance and Renaissance Art are rich in philosophical and Christian symbolism.William H. Hunt once wrote "When language was not transcendental enough to complete the meaning of a revelation, symbols were relied upon for heavenly teaching, and familiar images, chosen from the known, were made to mirror the unknown spiritual truth." Narrative paintings, with their layer upon layers of readily understood symbolic meaning, provided instruction to the uneducated commoners that yearned for scriptural understanding. Paintings were used as guides that helped illuminate the divine mysteries of Church doctrine. Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance Art are rich in philosophical and Christian symbolism. Narrative paintings, with their layer upon layers of readily understood symbolic meaning, provided instruction to the uneducated commoners that yearned for scriptural understanding. Paintings were used as guides that helped illuminate the divine mysteries of Church doctrine.
The Meaning of Sacred Symbols in Paintings. Most prominently featured symbols and their meaning:
The Four Evangelists
If you feel you have worthwhile information you would like to contribute we would love to hear from you. We collect essential biographical information and artist quotes from folks all over the globe and appreciate your participation. When submitting please, if possible, site the source and provide English translation. Email to historyofpainter@gmail.com
☼☼☼☼☼
Popular Questions About Art History
What is an allegorical painting?
How did Raphael die?
What is the meaning of a hovering white dove in painting?
What is the difference between Italian Renaissance art and Northern Renaissance art?What was the impact of the iconoclast on European art?
How did the Black Death impact European art history?
What was the influence of Classical humanism on the Renaissance?
How did the Inquisition impact European art history?
What is the symbolism of the color gold?
What was the influence of the Medici Academy on Renaissance painters?
How did the Bonfire of the Vanities impact Italian Renaissance"
What is Sfumato?
Who were the greatest painters of the Renaissance?
☼☼☼☼☼
Search for Artists by Century Important Painters Born in the 13th Century Important Painters Born in the 14th Century Important Painters Born in the 15th Century Important Painters Born in the 16th Century Important Painters Born in the 17th Century Important Painters Born in the 18th Century Important Painters Born in the 19th Century☼☼☼☼☼
Require more facts and information about The iconographical interpretation of Symbols in Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance Painting? Poke around every nook and cranny of the known universe for information this subject. Search Here
© HistoryofPainters.com 2017
If you like this page and wish to share it, you are welcome to link to it, with our thanks.
