A Guide to Christian Art
A one-volume introduction to and overview of Christian art, from its earliest history to the present day. Diane Apostolos-Cappadona begins by examining how art and Christianity have intersected throughout history, and charts this tumultuous relationship that has yielded some of the greatest outpourings of human creativity.

To introduce readers to the way a painting can be read Apostolos-Cappadona begins with an analysis of a painting of the Adoration of the Magi, helping readers to see how they can interpret for themselves the signs, symbols and figures that the book covers.

In the more-than 1000 entries that follow Apostolos-Cappadona gives readers an expert overview of all the frequently used symbols and motifs in Christian art as well as the various saints, historical figures, religious events, and biblical scenes most frequently depicted. Readers are introduced to the ways in which religious paintings are often "coded'" such as what a lily means in a picture of Mary, how a goldfinch can be "Christological", or how the presence of an Eagle means it is likely to be a picture of St John. The entries are organized by topic, so that students and beginners can easily find their way to discussion of the themes and motifs they see before them when looking at a painting.

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A Guide to Christian Art
A one-volume introduction to and overview of Christian art, from its earliest history to the present day. Diane Apostolos-Cappadona begins by examining how art and Christianity have intersected throughout history, and charts this tumultuous relationship that has yielded some of the greatest outpourings of human creativity.

To introduce readers to the way a painting can be read Apostolos-Cappadona begins with an analysis of a painting of the Adoration of the Magi, helping readers to see how they can interpret for themselves the signs, symbols and figures that the book covers.

In the more-than 1000 entries that follow Apostolos-Cappadona gives readers an expert overview of all the frequently used symbols and motifs in Christian art as well as the various saints, historical figures, religious events, and biblical scenes most frequently depicted. Readers are introduced to the ways in which religious paintings are often "coded'" such as what a lily means in a picture of Mary, how a goldfinch can be "Christological", or how the presence of an Eagle means it is likely to be a picture of St John. The entries are organized by topic, so that students and beginners can easily find their way to discussion of the themes and motifs they see before them when looking at a painting.

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A Guide to Christian Art

A Guide to Christian Art

by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona
A Guide to Christian Art

A Guide to Christian Art

by Diane Apostolos-Cappadona

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Overview

A one-volume introduction to and overview of Christian art, from its earliest history to the present day. Diane Apostolos-Cappadona begins by examining how art and Christianity have intersected throughout history, and charts this tumultuous relationship that has yielded some of the greatest outpourings of human creativity.

To introduce readers to the way a painting can be read Apostolos-Cappadona begins with an analysis of a painting of the Adoration of the Magi, helping readers to see how they can interpret for themselves the signs, symbols and figures that the book covers.

In the more-than 1000 entries that follow Apostolos-Cappadona gives readers an expert overview of all the frequently used symbols and motifs in Christian art as well as the various saints, historical figures, religious events, and biblical scenes most frequently depicted. Readers are introduced to the ways in which religious paintings are often "coded'" such as what a lily means in a picture of Mary, how a goldfinch can be "Christological", or how the presence of an Eagle means it is likely to be a picture of St John. The entries are organized by topic, so that students and beginners can easily find their way to discussion of the themes and motifs they see before them when looking at a painting.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780567685124
Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date: 05/28/2020
Edition description: New Edition
Pages: 312
Product dimensions: 6.40(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.54(d)

About the Author

Diane Apostolos-Cappadona is Professor Emerita of Religious Art and Cultural History and Haub Director in the Catholic Studies Program, Georgetown University, USA

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations and Credits viii

Foreword Gabriele Finaldi x

Introduction 1

I Narratives of Jesus Christ and His Mother, Mary, in Christian Art 11

I.A Jesus Christ: Life and Works 11

I.B Jesus Christ: Symbolism 44

I.C Mary: Life and Works 48

I.D Mary: Symbolism 60

II Themes 67

II.A Personages 67

II.A.1 Classical Personages and Metaphors 67

II.A.2 Biblical and Apocryphal Figures and Metaphors 79

II.A.3 Saints 113

II.A.4 Celestial Figures and Symbols 161

II.A.5 Evil Figures and Symbols 171

II.B Signs and Symbols 176

II.B.1 Animals: Real and Imaginary 176

II.B.2 Botanicals: Flowers, Fruits, Plants, Trees, Vegetables 193

II.B.3 Human Body; Costume; Jewelry 209

II.B.4 Colors; Letters, Words and Phrases; Numbers 218

II.B.5 Musical Instruments 232

II.B.6 Visual Church 239

Glossary 252

Select Bibliography 260

Timeline 264

Index 285

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