Customer Reviews

Symbols and Allegories in Art (A Guide to Imagery)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
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Only the most obvious is stated, and then only in the simplest possible way, with no background information, no "story" behind each symbol, its use by particular artist at particular time in history etc.
On the other hand very visual in presentation, therefore rather clear and simple, easy to understand.
Recommended if you are interested in the subject on a very superficial level.

SYMBOLS AND ALLEGORIES IN ART was originally published in Italian by author Mathilde Battistini and is here resubmitted to the art loving public in a translated version courtesy of the Getty Foundation. The book is visually stunning and informative and offers a very handy reference volume for the museum visitor as well as the artist in understanding the derivation of symbols and myths and allegories that have sustained a presence in painting since the Baroque period.

Well designed in a logical way, each symbol or mythological character or even still life component is fully illustrated with a full page painting and accompanied by a terse but informative few paragraphs of explanation. The fine aspect is the manner in which each painting is easily identified at the moment it is introduced, and even though a fine bibliography is found in the back of the book, for once the information necessary to make the 'connect' is right before the eyes of the viewer.

This well illustrated volume is a welcome adjunct to the art history library as well as an interesting companion for the reader whose fascination in mythology is what brings them to art in the first place! Recommended. Grady Harp, February 06

I really thought that it would be a good reference book but it wasn't set up that way. The book is divided into 4 sections: Time, Man, Space and Allegories covering 71 topics. In each section, two pages are devoted to one topic such as "garden". Every topic is listed in the back of the book, but not alphabetically so you cannot look up the symbolism for a topic such as "doves" (which is not in the book) without going through the whole book. Also, there are many topics not covered in the book.

The book is only 5 ½" wide x 8" tall, so the text and reproductions of the artwork are quite small. It is almost impossible to see the detail in some larger works of art such as Michelangelo's The Last Judgment. But on a positive note, they were very broad in their selection artworks from different periods.

Compared to other books dedicated to the same subject, this book is more a dictionary of terms applied to some selected pieces of art (paintings) - so, do not expect a comprehensive description of symbols and allegories used in a single master work. After 184 pages not even one painting reproduction was completely dissected and all symbols and / or allegories explained. Many details about the used terms in this book can be easily found in the internet.

I love to study classical paintings and to discover their hidden symbols. This book was very useful for me, because there is no definitive books for this subject. Otherwise, English isn't my native language, but I could read the book without difficulty.

Thank you for prompt mailing. I got it in a flash. Exactly how I described, and worth every penny. I would recommend you to a friend.