What did Erwin Panofsky mean by natural subject matter?

Primary or natural subject matter: The most basic level of understanding, this stratum consists of perception of the work’s pure form. Take, for example, a painting of the Last Supper. If we stopped at this first stratum, such a picture could only be perceived as a painting of 13 men seated at a table.

What is iconology by Erwin Panofsky?

Iconology is a method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of the visual arts used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visual arts. …

What is Baroque Panofsky?

Panofsky described the Baroque as. the paradise of the High Renaissance regained, but haunted and enlivened. by the intense consciousness of an underlying dualism.

What did Erwin Panofsky do?

Erwin Panofsky, (born March 30, 1892, Hannover, Germany—died March 14, 1968, Princeton, New Jersey, U.S.), German American art historian who gained particular prominence for his studies in iconography (the study of symbols and themes in works of art).

What is an example of iconology?

Iconology is the study of the meaning contained within the symbols in a particular work of art. For example, Caravaggio painted several martyred saints. But the figure crucified upside-down is a reference to St. Peter who, claiming himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus, opted for the head-down position.

What iconography means?

An iconography is a particular range or system of types of image used by an artist or artists to convey particular meanings. For example in Christian religious painting there is an iconography of images such as the lamb which represents Christ, or the dove which represents the Holy Spirit.

What does Panofsky believe the portrait represents and why?

Panofsky believes that Arnolfini Portrait was meant to show a Christian marriage ceremony because of the iconography used in the painting. He believes that there are symbols of purity, salvation, and faith (58).

Who is Erwin Panofsky and what did he do?

One significant figure in the research and understanding of iconology is Erwin Panofsky, the author of the book “Studies in Iconology” published in 1939, which has continued now to be a highly influential text in iconology – the understanding and interpretation of meaning in visual representations.

What was Erwin Panofsky’s definition of iconology?

This definition was prescriptive rather than descriptive, and many art historians before Erwin Panofsky who would have called themselves “iconographers” were engaged in investigations that Panofsky would have termed “iconological.”

Who is an iconologist and what is iconology?

Iconology is a method of interpretation in cultural history and the history of art used by Aby Warburg, Erwin Panofsky and their followers that uncovers the cultural, social, and historical background of themes and subjects in the visual arts.

What does Panofsky mean by a level of analysis?

Through what we know of the world and linking the objects or codes in the work, this level allows us to reveal the underlying “basic attitude of a nation, a period, a class, a religious, or philosophical persuasion — unconsciously qualified by one personality and condensed into one work.” (Panofsky, 1972, p. 7).