ikonológiával

Ikonológia is a branch of art history that focuses on the interpretation of the meaning and symbolism within artworks. It goes beyond simply identifying the subject matter of a painting or sculpture to understanding the underlying cultural, historical, and philosophical context that gives the work its deeper significance. Unlike iconographical analysis, which primarily identifies and categorizes visual elements and their traditional meanings, iconology seeks to understand the "intrinsic meaning" or the worldview expressed by the artwork.

The term was popularized by Erwin Panofsky, who developed a methodological framework for iconological study. This method typically involves three levels of interpretation. The first is the pre-iconographical description, which involves a basic identification of forms and objects. The second is the iconographical analysis, where familiar motifs and themes are recognized. The third, and most crucial level, is the iconological interpretation, which investigates the intrinsic meaning by relating the artwork to broader cultural trends, philosophical ideas, and the artist's intentions within their historical context. Iconology thus aims to uncover the cultural mentality or Weltanschauung that shaped the creation and reception of the artwork.