FAH102H1 Lecture Notes - Lecture 4: Erwin Panofsky, Alchemy, Magic Square
Document Summary
Studies of identification, description and interpretation of the content of images. Literally means image writing and denotes the use of symbols depicted in paintings. 6, 7 rungs representing silver and gold tree represents wisdom. Look at artists in the same time period, to see if they used to the (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) (cid:2) same symbolism as the artist you"re researching (cid:2) (cid:2) Fundamental characteristic of pictures, their pictorial structure did not change over time. Nativity (biblical text) always identifiable, pictures visually authenticate the biblical word. Same scene, same ingredients (mary, joseph, etc) but painted in different ways (perspective, etc). In 18th century, the term iconography was confined to the study of engravings, later on, on history / classification of. Importance of identifying motifs is important to iconographical interpretation: ex. St. catherine of alexandria is portrayed with a wheel and sword: ex. Conventions and symbols/meanings over time disappear or become unintelligible. Erwin panofsky invented iconography as a scholarly discipline.
