Iconography in Art (Series)

Zoom Experience

Iconography - Stories in Art

Expert: Luca Pietrosanti, Art Historian

Fees: $100/4-part series ($25/session/Zoom window)

Doing Good: 5% of net proceeds benefit Book-Cycle Rome

Itinerary

Iconography - Stories in Art

"People die for symbols. People have hope because of symbols. They're not just lines. They're histories, cultures, traditions, given shape.”  ― Roshani Chokshi

What’s Up With The Lamb?

Artists, artisans and craftspeople have been using icons and symbols to represent aspects of their lives, cultures and societies for millenia.

You’ve seen religious iconography at work in Christian art: the lamb representing Christ or the dove representing the Holy Spirit. Van Eyck, Bosch, Goya, Gauguin, Picasso, Rubens, Kahlo and Warhol notably used iconography to tell stories and to express ideas about society and life.

In this +With Friends Zoom course we’ll explore iconography with our favorite art historian expert (this is Luca’s wheelhouse!), learn to recognize traditional symbols in art, and use your new-found skills to better understand the artist’s intention or to make up stories of your own!

What To Expect

• Learn to understand iconography, a new language of images and their hidden meanings across time and cultures.
• Build on what you've learned in our Seeing Art series and gain a deeper understanding of artworks by using iconographic techniques to figure out the story behind them.
• See art as the artists intended and use your new skills to breathe life into revered masterpieces, making art a more meaningful experience with greater resonance for today.
• Enjoy seeing art around the world with Luca + friends!

Resources

• Art as Therapy, by Alain de Botton and John Armstrong, who present us with an entirely new way to experience art.
• Meaning in the Visual Arts, by Erwin Panofsky, whose work represents a high point in the modern academic study of iconography.
• Vision of a Knight, short-form research offered by The National Gallery in London exploring the iconography of Rafael's painting.
• Iconography in Art: The Meaning of Animals in Renaissance Art, a YouTube video produced by Amuze Art Lectures.

Let's Explore!