ikonografii

Ikonografii, or iconography, is a field within art history and religious studies focused on the subjects depicted in visual representations, including people, events, symbols, and narratives. It involves identifying depicted figures and scenes, cataloging motifs, and analyzing how imagery communicates meaning within particular cultural and historical contexts. The term also covers the organization of an image’s program—how scenes are arranged, repeated, and linked to liturgical, devotional, or secular purposes.

The scope of ikonografii extends across traditions and periods. In Christian art, canonical subjects such as the Virgin and Child, Christ’s Passion, and saints’ lives are analyzed for their symbolic meanings and devotional functions. Byzantine, medieval, and Renaissance production each develop distinct iconographic vocabularies and conventions. Beyond Christianity, iconographic study encompasses Hindu, Buddhist, Islamic, and classical mythological imagery, as well as secular genres like allegory, political propaganda, and contemporary visual culture. Across regions, local adaptations and momentous historical changes influence how motifs are interpreted and depicted.

Methodologically, ikonografii involves identifying subjects, symbols, and narrative sequences, and connecting them to liturgical texts, doctrinal themes, and cultural practices. Scholars often distinguish iconography from iconology; the former tends to focus on identification and description of subject matter, while the latter emphasizes interpretation of meaning within broader social and intellectual contexts. Today, ikonografii remains a foundational approach for understanding how visual culture encodes beliefs, power, and identity.

See also: iconography, iconology, Panofsky, Warburg.