Thursday, 19 October 2017

Symbols & Allegories in Art, pt.2

Tree - pg.248-251

  • 'represents the axis and mystical centre of the cosmos and the element of conjunction between the world underground (roots), the earth (trunk), and the celestial dimension (leaves and branches).'
  • '...state of continuous growth, the tree is an image of life in its totality.'
  • 'The cosmic tree thrusts its roots into the heavens and its boughs into the womb of the earth...'
  • 'It's branches correspond to the five elements: ether, air, fire, water, and earth.'
  • 'Like the cross, they symbolise death and resurrection...'
1. Hugo van der Goes, Original sin, ca. 1473-75. Vienna, Kunsthistorisches Museum.

  • 'The tree in the garden of Eden represents both the source of life and knowledge, and the principle of evil and death.'
Garden - pg.252-257
  • 'presented as a luxuriant, often enclosed space adorned with splashing fountains, fruit trees, and domesticated animals.'
  • 'The garden represents a sacred spot, a place reserved for the initiated, separate from everyday reality.'
1. Hieronymus Bosch, The Garden of Earthly Delights (detail), central panel of the Garden of Earthly Delights Triptych, 1503-4. Madrid, Prado.

  • Egg - 'The egg symbolises the ''re-absorption'' into the maternal womb.'
  • 'This garden has been interpreted as an allegory of lust.'
  • 'The parade of exotic and imaginary animals represents the different faces of sin.'
The Vices - pg.278-293
  • 'moral chaos...'
  • 'Christian morality counts seven major vices (sloth, greed, gluttony, envy, wrath, lust, and pride)...'
1. Hieronymus Bosch, Superbia (Pride), detail of The Seven Deadly Sins, ca. 1480-85, Madrid, Prado.


  • 'The mirror, principal attribute of the proud, is being held by a demon with a wolf's head and a toad's feet.' - animals associated with demons, etc.
2. Sandro Botticelli, Calumny of Appelles, ca. 1490. Florence, Uffizi.

Image result for sandro botticelli calumny
  • My Notes - People representing a virtue/vice.
  • Truth, remorse, innocence, treason, deception, ignorance, suspicion -eg.

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