Nature and Its SymbolsJ.P. Getty Museum, 2004 - 382 pages Nature and Its Symbols is the fifth volume in the series A Guide to Imagery, reference guides whose goal is to explain the symbols used in art. This volume includes chapters on plants, flowers, fruits, and animals of the earth, air, and water, as well as fantastical creatures such as centaurs, griffons, and dragons. The vivid illustrations, which include paintings and tapestries from some of the world's premier museums, are accompanied by texts that offer a careful analysis of the artists' depictions of the natural world. fruit, or animal portrayed, its mythic or literary origins, and the episodes or individuals associated with it. These salient points are also called out in summary form within each entry, making the information easily accessible. The reader discovers, for example, that the iris can represent Jesus or the purity of the Virgin Mary as well as the kings of France or the city of Florence. The monkey, which can be symbolic of the devil, heresy, or bad temper, is also associated with the three wise men who travelled to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus. |
From inside the book
Results 1-3 of 30
Page 60
... Giovanni Bellini , Madonna of the Little Trees , 1487 , Venice , Accademia . In keeping with its funerary connotations , the black poplar alludes to the Passion of Christ . The images of the sun and moon derive from medieval. 60.
... Giovanni Bellini , Madonna of the Little Trees , 1487 , Venice , Accademia . In keeping with its funerary connotations , the black poplar alludes to the Passion of Christ . The images of the sun and moon derive from medieval. 60.
Page 302
... medieval encyclopedias , it was claimed the bird lived in dry eastern regions because it feared that rain would ruin its colorful plumage . Continuing the same logic , medieval bes- tiaries considered the bird to be extremely “ clean ...
... medieval encyclopedias , it was claimed the bird lived in dry eastern regions because it feared that rain would ruin its colorful plumage . Continuing the same logic , medieval bes- tiaries considered the bird to be extremely “ clean ...
Page 348
... medieval miniatures . On its back we often see mariners , who landed there by mistake . Called " the great fish " in the Bible , the whale is the animal that swallows the prophet Jonah , as punishment for defying the Lord's orders and ...
... medieval miniatures . On its back we often see mariners , who landed there by mistake . Called " the great fish " in the Bible , the whale is the animal that swallows the prophet Jonah , as punishment for defying the Lord's orders and ...
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
According Adoration Albrecht Dürer allegory alludes allusion ancient angel animal Annunciation antiquity Apollo apple associated attribute of Saint Bacchus became a symbol bird butterfly Cesare Ripa Characters Attribute chariot chastity Christ child Christian considered a symbol death derives detail devil donkey Elder Naturalis Historia emblem Episodes and Characters Eucharist evil famous Florence flower fruit future Passion Garden Gemäldegalerie goddess Greek hand Hercules iconography Iconology interpreted Isaiah Jesus John the Baptist king Kunsthistorisches Museum Last Supper Latin legend lily Lorenzo Lotto lust Madonna and Child Madrid Meanings medieval bestiaries Musée Mythic Origins negative connotations Original Sin Ovid painting Passion of Christ Patrologia Latina Paul Getty Museum Pinacoteca plant Pliny the Elder Prado purity Renaissance representations represented resurrection Rome rose sacred Saint Anthony Saint John salvation satyr scenes snake Song of Solomon soul Sources Ovid Metamorphoses Sources Pliny stag thorns tradition tree Uffizi usually portrayed Virgin Mary wine young