Erwin panofsky studies in iconology panofsky

Erwin Panofsky (1892–1968) was a German art historian marked the history of art in the 20th century through his studies of iconology. His work significantly shaped the academic study of art and cultural interpretation.

In this article we will analyze the iconological analysis method with some practical examples.

By Yolanda Silva, author of the online courses Art Analysis and Iconography

The Erwin Panofsky method of iconological analysis

In 1939, Panofsky presents his method of iconological analysis of art.

For Erwin Panofsky the art analysis could not merely depend upon literary sources, which after all, are not always available.

Erwin Panofsky goes on to investigate the way in which, according to the different historical conditions to which the artist is subjected, themes, subjects or facts are chosen to be represented.

I.e., he defends the study of meanings.

 

Erwin Panofsky

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