Iconography

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Iconography is the branch of art history which studies the identification, description and the interpretation of the content of images. The word iconography literally means "image writing", and comes from the Greek εικον (image) and γραφειν (to write), and a secondary meaning is the painting of icons in the Byzantine and Orthodox tradition. This article covers mainly the history of religious images, known as Icons, in Eastern Christianity.

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[edit] Iconography in the history of religious art

Icons are used by many different religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

[edit] Icons in Jewish tradition

It is commonly thought that the Jews absolutely prohibit "graven images" as part of their tradition; this however is not entirely true. There are numerous instances within the scriptures that describe the creation and use of images for religious purposes (the angels on the Ark of the Covenant, the bronze snake Moses mounted on a pole, etc). What is important to note is that none of these are worshipped as God. Since God is incorporeal and has no form, he cannot be depicted. During the Late Antique period it is clear that restrictions on representation were relaxed considerably. The synagogue at Dura Europas had large figurative wall paintings. It is also clear there was a tradition of painted scrolls, of which the Joshua Roll and the Utrecht Psalter are medieval Christian copies; none of the originals having survived. There are also many medieval illuminated manuscripts, especially of the Haggadah of Pesach. There does not seem to have been a Jewish tradition of icons as panel paintings however.

[edit] The Byzantine and Orthodox icon tradition

Main article: Icon
Eastern Orthodox Christian usually say their prayers in front of an Eastern facing wall covered with icons
Eastern Orthodox Christian usually say their prayers in front of an Eastern facing wall covered with icons

With the rise of Christianity, however, it is believed that the immaterial God took flesh in the form of Jesus Christ, making it possible to depict in human form the Son of God. It is on this basis that the old prescriptions against images were changed for the early Christians. Also, the concept of archetype was redefined by the early church fathers in order to better understand that when a person shows veneration toward an image, the intention is rather to honor the person depicted, not the substance of the icon.

In the traditions of Eastern Christianity, only flat images or bas relief images are used. They believe the first icons of Christ and the Virgin Mary to have been painted by St. Luke. Because the Greeks rejected statuary, the Byzantine icon style was developed in which figures were stylized in a manner that emphasized their holiness rather than their humanity. Symbolism allowed the icon to present highly complex material in a very simple way, making it possible to educate even the illiterate in theology. The interiors of Orthodox Churches are often completely covered in icons of Christ, Mary and the saints. Most are portrait figures in various conventional poses, but many narrative scenes are also depicted.

Icons flourished within the Christian world, but by the 7th century, certain factions arose within the church to challenge the use of icons. The Iconoclasts actively destroyed icons wherever they found them replacing them with the only depiction allowed, the cross. The Iconodules, on the other hand argued that icons had always been used by Christians and should continue. Finally, after much debate at the 7th ecumenical council, held in Nicaea in 787, the Iconodules, supported by the Empress, upheld the use of icons as an integral part of Christian tradition.

Today, Icons are still used extensively by the Eastern Orthodox. Icons are kissed, carried in procession, and venerated.

[edit] Icons in Western Christianity

Until the 13th century, icons followed a broadly similar pattern in West and East - although very few survive from this early from either tradition. Western icons, which are not usually so termed, were largely patterned on Byzantine works, and equally conventional in composition and depiction. From this point on the western tradition came slowly to allow the artist far more flexibility, and a more realist approach to the figures.

In the 15th century the use of icons in the West was enormously increased by the introduction of prints on paper, mostly woodcuts which were produced in vast numbers. With the Reformation, after an initial uncertainty among early Lutherans, Protestants came down firmly against icon-like portraits, especially larger ones, even of Christ. Many Protestants found these "idolatrous". Catholics maintained, even intensified the traditional use of icons, both printed and on paper, now using the different styles of the Renaissance and Baroque. Popular Catholic imagery to a certain extent has remained attached to a Baroque style of about 1650, especially in Italy and Spain.

[edit] Hinduism

The Hindu god Shiva. Note the blue skin and damaru drum held in his back hand
The Hindu god Shiva. Note the blue skin and damaru drum held in his back hand
Main article: Hindu iconography

Images of Hindu gods use a rich symbolism. Some figures are blue-skinned (the color of heaven) or may have multiple arms holding various symbols depicting aspects of the god (the drums of change, the flower of new life, the fire of destruction, etc.)

[edit] Islamic view on icons

Icons are strictly forbidden in Islam if they are consecrated. However Islamic art differs in its view of icons ranging from totally forbidding drawings and photography as with the Wahhabis to forbidding only drawings but not photography to allowing both as with the majority of Sunni Muslims. Some Shia allow even the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad and his cousin Ali, a position totally unacceptable to the Sunnis. Muslims view sanctified icons as idols, and strictly forbid the worship of an icon, or worship in front of it.

[edit] Iconography in other academic research

In other academic disciplines such as, anthropology, sociology, media studies and cultural studies, iconography refers the study of images or signs like for instance those image that have an important significance to a particular culture. Discussing imagery as iconography in this way implies a critical "reading" of imagery that often attempts to explore social and cultural values.

[edit] See also

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[edit] External links

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