Art History | Legacies, iconography, iconology, and semiotics

Classic art

Achieves unity by making the parts independent

Baroque

Abolishes the uniform independence of the parts for a more unified total motive

Rococco

Lightness, elegance, and extravagance

• Intricate natural forms like shells and flowers

Art Nouveau

Emphasizes flowing, organic lines inspired by nature

Art Deco

Features sharp geometric shapes and a bold modern aesthetic

What is rhythm in art?

Lines shapes and colours are repeated to create visual flow and movement

What is unity in art?

Isolated perception of the individual shape

Iconography

Identification, description, and interpretation of the subjects, symbols, and themes within a work of art

• Focus on conventional meaning

What are the two steps of iconography

1. Pre-iconographic description

2. Iconographic analysis

Pre-iconographic description

Factual description of what is depicted

Iconographic analysis

Identification of motifs, themes, and conventional symbols

Iconology

Deeper analysis of the cultural, historical, and social meanings 

• Focus on intrinsic meaning

What are the three registers of meaning?

• Natural subject matter

• Conventional subject matter

• Intrinsic meaning or context

Natural subject matter

Interpretation is pre-iconographical and relies on basic recognition of objects and events

• Factual and expressional

Conventional subject matter

Understanding of images, motifs, stories, and allegories

• Ex: Why is Bartholomew depicted with a knife?

Intrinsic meaning or context

How are tendencies of the human mind expressed in themes