A guide to Christian art

Abstract

"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."--

Contents

Preface -- Acknowledgments -- Abbreviations -- Introduction -- Glossary (including Bible, Apocrypha, and other literary sources) -- Chapter I: Narratives of Jesus Christ and his mother, Mary, in Christian Art -- Chapter II: Themes -- A. Personages -- 1. Classical personages & metaphors -- 2. Biblical and Apocryphal figures -- 3. Saints -- 4. Celestial figures -- 5. Evil figures -- B. Signs and Symbols -- 1. Animals, real & imaginary -- 2. Botanicals -- 3. Human Body: Dressed and Undressed -- 4. Colors; Letters, words & phrases; Geometric shapes -- 5. Musical Instruments -- 6. Visual Church -- Chapter III:Guide to Christian Art in Churches and Museums -- Chapter IV: Timeline -- Bibliography -- Illustration credits -- Index