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Erwin Panofsky Highlights from Meaning in the Visual Arts
and Studies in Iconology Presented by Maryann Shaw March 2, 2010
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Erwin Panofsky (1892 – 1968) Born in Hanover, Germany
Moved to New York 1935 Iconographic approach to art Interpreted works through Symbolism History Social factors Panofsky interpreted works of art through the analysis of symbolism, History, and Social Factors Famous for studies done in Iconography and Iconology
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Meaning in the Visual Arts
Published in 1955 Standard Reading for Students Sections from other works The Life and Art of Albrecht Dürer Studies in Iconology
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Bedroom in Arles – Vincent Van Gogh
A Work of Art Bedroom in Arles – Vincent Van Gogh c Oil on Canvas Aesthetic Experience Intention of Creator Environment Time/Era An object which demands to be experienced aesthetically Depends on the “intention” of the creator Quote - “The intentions of those who produce object are conditioned by the standards of their period and environment”. (pg 13) Bedroom in Arles by Vincent Van Gogh is a great example of how an artist's environment and time influence his art. This painting is of Van Gogh’s environment while he was painting in Southern France.
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The Pieta – Michelangelo
Terms and Concepts The Pieta – Michelangelo c Carved Marble Iconography Iconology The Humanities Value Limitation The Notion of Culture Organic Situation Iconography The study of the conventional meanings of works of art that are meant to convey some doctrine or traditional story. Iconology The identification and description of symbols and subject matter in art Humanities The two meanings according to Panofsky Man vs. less than man (value) Man vs. more than man (limitation) Notion of Culture Panofsky portrays culture as the essence that separates man from other animals, giving him morals, values and a foundation of knowledge Organic Situation Art History lives off Art Theory and vice versa. The Pieta Great example of Iconography. To those who are not familiar with Western or Christian cultures, they may just see a man laying on a woman’s lap. For those who are familiar with Christian cultures - they will be aware that this sculpture depict Jesus laying on the lap of his mother, the Virgin Mary.
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Mona Lisa – Leonardo Da Vinci
Analyzing Art Mona Lisa – Leonardo Da Vinci c Oil on Poplar Art Connoisseur vs. Art Historian Emphasis and explicitness Aesthetic value Intention Art Theory Subjectivity Naïve Viewer Art Connoisseur vs. Art Historian Matter of emphasis and explicitness Does not assess the aesthetic value with regard to culture or from a humanistic standpoint, only through quality and value Art historian takes the aesthetics and value and places it into the cultural “intention” of the artist. Art Theory Allows subjectivity to art Gives viewer personal expression which an Art Historian is not allowed Viewer can apply their own expressions to the painting instead of trying to understand the artist’s Naïve Viewer The naïve viewer is one who looks at a work of art and views it from only the cultural perspective they have experienced. The art historian goes out of their way to learn about other cultures to better understand the “intention” the artist intended. The Mona Lisa Great example for the “Naïve Viewer” Portrait seems traditional, but it was anything but traditional during the time it was painted. Reasons why it was “untraditional” Subject looks directly at and engages viewer Subject is not idealized No plucked forehead Not made to be “beautiful”
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Studies in Iconology Published in 1939 Discusses
Themes in renaissance art Classical and medieval relations Addresses 3 “layers” of art Primary subject matter Secondary subject matter Intrinsic Meaning
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Primary Subject Matter
Natural Subject Matter Most basic understanding Perception of form The 3rd of May 1808 Row of men shooting Group of men being shot The 3rd of May 1808 – Francisco Goya c Oil on Canvas Primary or Natural Subject Matter: The most basic level of understanding, perception of the work’s form. 3rd of May Viewer sees a row of men being shot and a row of men shooting them.
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Secondary Subject Matter
The 3rd of May 1808 – Francisco Goya c Oil on Canvas Conventional subject matter Iconography Cultural Knowledge Environment Historical happenings The 3rd of May 1808 Knowledge of Spanish History Secondary or Conventional subject matter Takes cultural knowledge into accounts, including environment, historical happenings, etc… 3rd of May Anyone with knowledge of Spanish history could Identify this picture, perhaps also by title, as being a picture from the period of time when Napoleon's Armies invaded Spain
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The 3rd of May 1808 – Francisco Goya
Intrinsic Meaning Iconology Content Artist’s personal history Technical Abilities Environment The 3rd of May 1808 Commemorate resistance Focal figure mimicking crucifixion The 3rd of May 1808 – Francisco Goya c Oil on Canvas Intrinsic Meaning or Content Looks at the personal, technical, and cultural history in order to understand a work of art. Artists Technical Ability? Artists opinion of Subject Matter? Environment 3rd of May Goya wanted to commemorate Spanish Resistance to Napoleons Armies Commissioned by Spain Provisional government Focal figure lighter, posed like he’s being crucified.
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Reference Panofsky, Erwin. (1982). Meaning in the visual arts. University Of Chicago Press. Panofsky, Erwin. (1972). Studies in iconology. Westview Press. Stokstad, Marilyn, Cateforis, David, & Addiss, Stephen. (2002). Art history. Prentice Hall.
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