Symbolism in Art What is a symbol? A symbol is an object or a picture that stands for an idea. Love, power, and anger are all ideas that we sometimes think of in terms of symbols. For example, a heart can stand for love, a lion or a sword can represent power, and the color red or a frowning face can symbolize anger. Many artists use symbols in their work. Symbol: Something used to represent something else; a material object representing something, often something immaterial.

All cultures use symbolism to represent ideas, from 17,000-year old Paleolithic cave art to contemporary paintings on view today.

Some symbols are universally understood to have a certain meaning, but most are open to interpretation, depending upon the context. Your project could include a combination of both. Think of some possible meanings for the image on the left.

Think of all the symbolic meanings we can give to rope! You will want to brainstorm some ideas for your project.

An excellent example for understanding symbolism in art is The Mérode Alterpiece, painted by Dutch artist Robert Campin in1425.

The portraits of the donors are in the left panel The portraits of the donors are in the left panel. Religious art was usually funded by wealthy patrons, so the artist included their portraits.

An unusual scene of Saint Joseph at work as a carpenter occupies the right-hand panel. Hidden symbolism lurks in this early attempt at realistic genre painting, in which every material object is a symbol of the spiritual. At the feet of Joseph we see the mousetraps that Joseph has made - one is on display outside his shop window – they are the means to catch the Devil by his own deceptions. (When doubt was expressed that these were really mousetraps, somebody built one and caught a mouse.)

The center of the little Mérode triptych shows a homely interior in primitive, "steep" perspective, with a seated, reading bourgeois figure who turns out to be the Annunciate Virgin. The Angel Gabriele has arrived to announce to Mary that she will bear God’s child.

In the top left corner a tiny Christ figure is visible flying into the oculus window. This symbolizes the immaculate conception. The brass candlestick with its smoking candle probably symbolizes the Virgin and Child.

The lilies in the "Islamic" vase refer to Mary's virginity and to the incarnation

Your project starts with a background which will support your theme. Whatever the template is, you will use this background to tell your story through symbols. The background could be a landscape or some kind of scene. In “Resurexit”, Anselm Kiefer incorporates his symbolic narrative into the landscape. Look for a snake, a funnel, a door, stairs, woods….all of these images are symbolic. Once we know that he was born in Germany during World War II, we can begin to understand his symbolism. If the snake represents evil, or even the Nazis, will it be able to climb the stairs and escape? Or will it banished to the forest forever?

Your project starts with a background which will support your theme. Whatever the template is, you will use this background to tell your story through symbols. The background could be a landscape or some kind of scene. In “Resurexit”, Anselm Kiefer incorporates his symbolic narrative into the landscape. Look for a snake, a funnel, a door, stairs, woods….all of these images are symbolic. Once we know that he was born in Germany during World War II, we can begin to understand his symbolism. If the snake represents evil, or even the Nazis, will it be able to climb the stairs and escape? Or will it banished to the forest forever?

Student examples using symbolism Mandala template with a theme of Paletinian/Isreali conflict. Look for: Map of Isreal Identity Card Barbed wire Temporary houses

Composition

Oceanscape scene with a theme of cultural heritage Oceanscape scene with a theme of cultural heritage. Look for DNA strand and New York City. The Campbell’s soup can represents American culture, the eyes in the ocean represent the students ancestors overseas.

A project with an urban theme, representing the student’s childhood in a city, and the move to Montgomery. The upside down self portrait could represent the upheaval of moving.

A dramatic symbol project representing the American Civil rights movement. Look for a snake, fire hose, KKK hoods, and an open door with golden light, representing the future.

Allegory Allegory: 1. A representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. 2. A symbolical narrative Titian's Allegory of Age Governed by Prudence, with three human heads symbolizing age and the triple-headed beast (dog, lion, wolf) standing for prudence.