A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art

Gertrude Grace Sill

• Publisher: Touchstone
• Year: 2011
• ISBN:
  9781439123843
• Topic: Art
• Subtopic: Art General

Explore one of the richest and most rewarding aspects of Western art with this comprehensive easy-to-use, portable guide to Christian symbols. Organized like a primer, with hundreds of entries in 50 categories—from A for Angels to Z for Zodiac—this handy pocket reference enables you to recognize at a glance the identity and meaning of all the elements in any Christian work of art. 162 paintings from every century illustrate the enduring themes of our biblical heritage. A short introductory essay explains how to use the handbook and the functions of symbols in art. Cross-references, illustrations, a detailed index, and the pocket-book size make A Handbook of Symbols in Christian Art an invaluable work for museum-goers, students, travelers, art collectors, and general readers.

INDEX

Abel, 143-44

Abraham, 145-47

Adam, 142-43

Adoration of the Shepherds, 72

Adultery, 8-9, 18, 85-86

Advent, 215

Agatha, Saint, 175

Agnes, Saint, 175-76

Agony in the Garden, 87-88

Ahasuerus, 160

Alb, 210

Almond, 53

Altar, 165

Ambrose, Saint, 35, 36

Amice, 210

Anchor, 128

Andrew, Saint, 9-10

Anemone, 50

Angel of the Annunciation, 3

Angel of the Lord, 4

Angel of Mercy, see Gabriel

Angels, 1-4

Angers (cathedral), 5

Animals, 16-27

Anne, Saint, 176 see also Mary Mother of Christ

Annunciation (to Mary), 119-120

Annunciation (to the Shepherds), 71

Anthony Abbot, Saint, 176

Anthony of Padua, Saint, 40, 176-77

Apes, 16

Apocalypse, 4-5

Apocrypha, 5-9

Apollonia, Saint, 177-78

Apostles, 9-15, 28 see also Evangelists; specific Apostles

Apple, 53-54, 122, 126

Aquinas, Saint Thomas, 200-201

Archangels, 3-4

Archiepiscopal cross, 31

Arithmetic, 113

Ark of the Covenant, 128

Armor, 128

Arrow, 128

Artifacts, Religious, 165

Artist’s materials, 47

Ascension, The, 99

Ashes, 40, 85

Ash Wednesday 40, 85

Asses, 16, 85, 121

Astronomy, 113

Attributes, 175

Augustine, Saint, 35, 36-37

Augustinians, 170

Aureole, 60

Ax, 12, 128

Bag of money, see Instruments of the Passion

Balls, three, 195

Banner, 130

Baptism, 42, 173, 208

of Christ, 78-79

Barabbas, 89

Barbara, Saint, 178

Bartholomew, Saint, 10

Basilisks, 17

Basin and ewer, 135, 168 see a...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Copyright Page
• Dedication
• To The Reader
• Introduction
• Angels
• Beasts, Real and Imaginary
• Church
• Death
• Earth and the Elements
• God the Father
• Halos
• Initials
• Jesus Christ
• Kings
• Last Judgment
• Mary
• Numbers
• Old Testament Prophecies
• Prophets
• Religious Artifacts
• Sacraments
• Tree
• Vestments
• Year (Church)
• Zodiac
• Selected Bibliography
• Sources and Credits
• Index