Nature and Its SymbolsNature and Its Symbols is the fifth volume in the series A Guide to Imagery, reference guides whose goal is to explain the symbols used in art. This volume includes chapters on plants, flowers, fruits, and animals of the earth, air, and water, as well as fantastical creatures such as centaurs, griffons, and dragons. The vivid illustrations, which include paintings and tapestries from some of the world's premier museums, are accompanied by texts that offer a careful analysis of the artists' depictions of the natural world. fruit, or animal portrayed, its mythic or literary origins, and the episodes or individuals associated with it. These salient points are also called out in summary form within each entry, making the information easily accessible. The reader discovers, for example, that the iris can represent Jesus or the purity of the Virgin Mary as well as the kings of France or the city of Florence. The monkey, which can be symbolic of the devil, heresy, or bad temper, is also associated with the three wise men who travelled to Bethlehem to pay homage to the infant Jesus. |
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Common terms and phrases
According allegory alludes allusion ancient angel animal Annunciation antiquity appears apple associated assume attribute of Saint Bacchus became believed bird born branch century Cesare Ripa chariot chastity Child Christ Christian connotation considered cross crown culture death derives detail devil divine earth Elder Naturalis Historia emblem Episodes and Characters evil fact faith famous figure fish Florence flower fruit future Garden girl goddess Greek hand head Hercules holding Holy horse human iconography Iconology interpreted Jesus killed king lamb later leaves legend light lily lion Madonna Mary Meanings medieval month Museum Mythic Origins nature negative Ovid Metamorphoses painting passage Passion of Christ pear plant Pliny the Elder portrayed positive probably purity reference Renaissance representations represented resurrection Rome rose sacred Saint John scenes seen snake sometimes soul Sources symbol takes thorns tradition tree turned Unicorn usually Venus Virgin Virgin Mary wine young
Bibliographic information
| Title | Nature and Its Symbols Bibliotheca Paediatrica Ref Karger Series Volume 5 of Guide to imagery |
| Author | Lucia Impelluso |
| Translated by | Stephen Sartarelli |
| Contributors | J. Paul Getty Museum, Paul Getty Museum, Los Angeles |
| Edition | illustrated, reprint |
| Publisher | Getty Publications, 2004 |
| ISBN | 0892367725, 9780892367726 |
| Length | 382 pages |
| Subjects | › › Art / History / General Art / Reference Science / Life Sciences / Botany |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |