Art and Architecture Collection > Art History: A Research Guide

Iconography

One of the most established aspects of art historical investigation is the iconographic study. Signs, allegorical narrative, religious symbols, and other subject matter invested with covert meaning appeared in art works from antiquity to the modern era. Medieval and Renaissance art, in particular, incorporated iconographic imagery. By the twentieth century, handbooks with interpretations of these signs and symbols were devised in an effort to assist art historical research. Many iconographic tools are specialized resources in scope.

Carr-Gomm, Sarah. The Dictionary of Symbols in Western Art. New York: Facts on File, 1995.
A good general compilation of major symbols in the arts.

Ferguson, George Wells. Signs & Symbols in Christian Art. New York: Oxford University Press, 1954.
A classic reference work for sacred imagery in Christian religious art.

Hall, James. Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art. New York: Harper & Row, 1979.
Another popular examination of themes and motifs in art works.

Impelluso, Lucia. Nature and its Symbols. Los Angeles: J.P. Getty, 2004.
Covers plants, flowers, fruits, and real and imaginary animals.

Reid, Jane. The Oxford Guide to Classical Mythology in the Arts, 1300-1990s. New York: Oxford University Press, 1993. 2 vol.
Provides background to works with iconography from Greek and Roman mythology.

Schiller, Gertrud. Iconography of Christian Art. Greenwich, CT: New York Graphic Society, 1972. 2 vol.
A classic scholarly study of imagery from the life of Jesus Christ.

Tabor, Margaret. The Saints in Art. London: Methuen; Detroit: Gale Research Co., 1969 (reprint of 1908 ed.)
A venerable study of the attributes and symbols of the Catholic saints.

Werner, E.T.C. A Dictionary of Chinese Mythology. New York: Julian Press, 1961.
A specialized handbook for Chinese iconography.

Whittick, Arnold. Symbols, Signs and Their Meaning. Newton, MA: C.T. Branford Co., 1960.
Another classic study of symbolism in art with a good introduction.