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
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Page 43
... probably because Minerva , as a warrior god- dess and foil to Mars ( Ares ) , fights to maintain law and order . The olive branch appears again as a symbol of peace between God and men when the dove carries one back to Noah on the ark ...
... probably because Minerva , as a warrior god- dess and foil to Mars ( Ares ) , fights to maintain law and order . The olive branch appears again as a symbol of peace between God and men when the dove carries one back to Noah on the ark ...
Page 159
... probably because the plant was partic- ularly widespread throughout Europe . Although the Scriptures make no mention of strawberries , the plant is commonly considered a flower of the Earthly Paradise . This probably Strawberry derives ...
... probably because the plant was partic- ularly widespread throughout Europe . Although the Scriptures make no mention of strawberries , the plant is commonly considered a flower of the Earthly Paradise . This probably Strawberry derives ...
Page 175
... probably due in part to the fruit's peculiar char- Cucumber acteristic of being able to reproduce very quickly . This extraor- dinary generative ability was seen as a blind , uncontrolled force . In the sphere of iconography , the ...
... probably due in part to the fruit's peculiar char- Cucumber acteristic of being able to reproduce very quickly . This extraor- dinary generative ability was seen as a blind , uncontrolled force . In the sphere of iconography , the ...
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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