The Hidden Language of Symbols

by Matthew Wilson

The Hidden Language of Symbols covers a wide-ranging selection of visual culture and art under one unified symbols. Often not immediately apparent, our day-to-day lives abound with symbols of various kinds, from national emblems to emojis, allegories to logos, all of which have a fascinating story.Organized across four all-encompassing themes—power, faith, hope, and uncertainty—this stimulating illustrated account of forty-eight key symbols from global art history is aimed at museum-goers, armchair art sleuths, or anyone who wants to understand the history of their visual environment from an unusual and creative angle. Drawing on artistic examples from the imaginary, natural, physical, and religious worlds, from dragons to eagles, butterflies to labyrinths, and rainbows to wheels, author and art historian Matthew Wilson discusses the lives of these different types of symbols. Analyzing their development, why they evolved, and the various ways they have been interpreted, Wilson also explains in what way symbols are markers of identity, that is, how they gain the power to unite and divide societies. Looking at how they have shaped the world beyond the museum, Wilson reveals their impact on the appearance of our cities, the language of advertising, and even the design of corporate logos. 

Genres: Art, Nonfiction

272 pages, ebook

Published November 15, 2022

Reviews

[Elīna Bērziņa · Rating 3 out of 5]

šo Metjū Vilsona grāmatu var izmantot kā tādu atspēriena punktu ar kuru sākt apzināties mākslas un kultūras dziļumu, daudzās šķautnes. Šī grāmata nav tik dziļa kā man gribētos, bet priekš pirmajiem soļiem mākslas izprašanā būs gana laba.

Pilno grāmatas atsauksmi meklē blogā Vārdu Pasaulē

[Juan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cuando te metes en una carrera como historia del arte, o siquiera tienes un poco de interés por el arte y su historia, leer una obra necesita conocer el lenguaje en el que está escrita; en muchos casos, este lenguaje es el de símbolos que proceden de la mitología y de las tradiciones cristianas u otras. Este libro escoge cuidadosamente unos cuantos símbolos y, a través de ilustraciones, muestra qué es lo que han significado y por qué: desde la perla a la pera (esta última quizá un poco cuestionable, pero igual de divertida) pasando por los loros o las azucenas.
Tiene además notas a pie de página para el que quiera ir un poco más allá, así que satisface tanto al aficionado como al estudioso al que le entre en un examen, pongamos de iconografía.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting book covering symbols in art over thousands of years. It was not quite what I expected, but I appreciated it and learned much on this topic. It is best read in small chunks over several days, and the sections could easily be read at random rather than from cover to cover. Some of the symbols covered include various animals (cats, dogs, parrots, bulls), objects (pearls, eggs, haloes) and other miscelaneous odds and ends (dragons, scales of justice, bubbles) just to name a few.

[Anne Haack · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this is a beautiful book with bite sized thematic chapters, the author is weak on actual history. For example, he dismisses the global flood as a story rather than recognizing multiple accounts testifying to a global flood: “The story of the Great Flood in Genesis derived from the much earlier Epic of Gilgamesh….” To dismiss Scripture as story is to build a very weak and faulty foundation for understanding art history. This said, never having studied art history, I appreciate his storytelling and compilation of images. (But please, do not hijack history for the modern narrative!)

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesante, algunas cosas creo que podría el autor ahondar más en ellas, pero es entendible siendo un texto divulgativo. Maravilloso el poder ir leyendo y viendo las obras en máxima resolución y en color. Ya solo por ello este libro merece la pena

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photos of artwork and the meanings behind the symbolism. Really complemented the ARt History course I have been taking.

[Ingrida Vīlipa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Diemžēl man šī grāmata likās pavirša. Tulkojums ne no labākajiem un ne mazums drukas kļūdu.
Tāds ātrs simbolu apskats.

[jennifer]

Very odd selection and digression