Signs and Symbols in Christian Art: With Illustrations from Paintings from the Renaissance (Galaxy Books) (Paperback)

by George Ferguson (Author) "Ape. In Christian art, the figure of the ape has been used to symbolize sin, malice, cunning, and lust..." (more)
Key Phrases: shown bearing, Virgin Mary, National Gallery of Art, John the Baptist (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
"A tremendous help to so many students who haven't been raised with the exposure to Christian iconography. Thanks!"-- Nancy Noonan-Morrissey, Front Range Community College

"Excellent reference book--well-organized and highly informative--also, moderately priced!"--Marie Canaves, Cape Cod Community College

"Ferguson has brought a dead language back to life. He writes simply and clearly."--The Chicago Tribune

"[A] superb volume."--The Christian Century

"An extraordinarily beautiful and useful book....For clergymen, both Protestant and Catholic, who are interested in liturgies and symbolism, for architects and artists, and for all devotees of art this is an unusually valuable volume."--Kirkus Reviews

"A good book of reference for the general reader."--The Nation

"The publication of this book is an important event. There is no comparable guide in English to the profoundly beautiful symbolism of Christian art."--John Walker, Director Emeritus of the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.

"Whether as a reference work or as an invitation to fascinating browsing, the book is a treasure."--Journal of Bible and Religion

"An excellent resource with its nicely organized and easy-to-find explanations of persons, symbols, events/beliefs depicted in Christian art. My students found it to be a useful tool as they worked on their interpretations of paintings and other artistic renderings of NT texts. I hope this book will stay in print."--Professor Benjamin Fiore, Canisius College

Product Description
First published in 1954 and having gone through several editions, this comprehensive book remains the authoritative source in the field. This paperback edition includes all of the three hundred fifty illustrations from the original edition, as well as the complete and unabridged text. Its text and illustrations reveal the symbolism inherent in representations of religious personages, the Earth and Sky, animals, birds, insects, and flowers. In addition to a discussion of objects treated symbolically in Christian art, George Ferguson explores Old Testament characters and events and their symbolic representation in art.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (December 31, 1966)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0195014324
• ISBN-13: 978-0195014327
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #92,614 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

57 of 57 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Staple Reference for Any Library, October 25, 1999

By	Sorrel Wood "columnist" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

If you've ever wondered about the seemingly strange choices of modern writers or film directors (such as the repeated reference to chocolate "mouse" in the film "Rosemary's Baby"), "Signs and Symbols in Christain Art" will deepen your enjoyment of contemporary artforms as well as antique paintings found in museums.

Built around the symbol-system of Roman Catholic Church art, Ferguson's book illustrates the ways in which medieval and rennaissance artists tried to visualize scripture and cannon for their illiterate audiences.

Compact and consise, "Signs and Symbols" serves as a perfect bring-along for your next museum trip - but since the reader can look up various saints and doctrines (such as the Seven Deadly Sins and the Seven Virtues) as well as visual symbols, this book is more than just an art reference.

First-year art students are typically required to use this book in Survey of Western Art 101, but it deserves a place on the bookshelf of any home which aspires to cultural literacy.

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars one of the best, March 31, 2004

By	C.J.A. (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

Ferguson's book is simply one of the best of its kind. The numerous entries (far more than most) are divided into reasonable sections (animals, plants, saints, etc.). Black and white images in the outer margins assist identification. A thorough explanation of each entry's various meanings within a Christian context is provided (with few oversights). The book is a convenient, portable size and weight. Though I have found books which contain Christian symbols & meanings Ferguson overlooked, I have not yet found a text that is better as a whole, and I collect books of art symbolism.

Every art historian--student, amateur, or professional--should own a copy of this book. Art lovers will find it a substantial aid to appreciation. It's a great book to take on museum and cathedral tours, e.g. if you intend to travel around Europe. Christians may also find it a helpful meditation aid.

The only real drawback is that Ferguson is limited to Western Christian art. For help with Eastern Christian art symbolism, I recommend starting with Linette Martin's "Sacred Doorways: A Beginner's Guide to Icons." It's less like a reference guide and contains few images, but it's a great start.

I look forward to finding more gems like these.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for art history students, February 6, 2005

By	C. K. Lyons (United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If you are an art history student, this book is an absolute must. While there are many books that contradict one another when it comes to symbolism, this book is one that commonly agrees with others I have read or consulted.
For as inexpensive as this book is, you cannot afford NOT to get this book!