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The Pocket Universal Principles of Art
book

The Pocket Universal Principles of Art

by John A Parks
December 2017
Intermediate to advanced content levelIntermediate to advanced
208 pages
3h 39m
English
Rockport Publishers
Content preview from The Pocket Universal Principles of Art

090 Symbols

A symbol is a visual element that stands for something else. It may depict the thing that it represents, but this is not a requirement. It is merely necessary that there is an understanding within the culture in which it is produced as to the meaning of the symbol.

In the visual arts, the manipulation of symbols allows artists to convey meaning in many ways. Symbols are sometimes placed within otherwise descriptive or narrative paintings to clarify and reinforce their meaning.

When a painting functions primarily as an interplay between various symbolic elements, it is known as an allegory.

See also Allegory

Image

Hans Holbein the Younger ...

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Publisher Resources

ISBN: 9781631595431