iconography

noun

ico·​nog·​ra·​phy ˌī-kə-ˈnä-grə-fē 

plural iconographies

1

: the traditional or conventional images or symbols associated with a subject and especially a religious or legendary subject

2

: pictorial material relating to or illustrating a subject

3

: the imagery or symbolism of a work of art, an artist, or a body of art

4

: iconology

Did you know?

If you saw a 17th-century painting of a man writing at a desk with a lion at his feet, would you know you were looking at St. Jerome, translator of the Bible, who, according to legend, once pulled a thorn from the paw of a lion, which thereafter became his devoted friend? And if a painting showed a young woman reclining on a bed with a shower of gold descending on her, would you recognize her as Danaë, locked up in a tower to keep her away from the lustful Zeus, who then managed to gain access to her by transforming himself into golden light (or golden coins)? An iconographic approach to art can make museum-going a lot of fun—and amateur iconographers know there are also plenty of symbols lurking in the images that advertisers bombard us with daily.

Examples of iconography in a Sentence

the iconography of the 1960s

Recent Examples on the Web

The cultural discourse surrounding the Cowboy Carter cover — and Beyoncé’s latest career chapter as a whole — highlights the simultaneous power and limitation of mere iconography in this age. —Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2024

Madonna breaks from the bright colors and religious iconography for a look that's something akin to a pirate dominatrix. —EW.com, 20 Feb. 2024

For more than 100 years, the Arizona state flag has been a symbol of cultural exchange and industrial prosperity, showcasing the history of the state through its rich color palette and iconography. —The Arizona Republic, 12 Jan. 2024

While religious iconography abounds — and makes for some handy weapons, in a pinch — Cecilia’s crisis isn’t one of faith but of bodily autonomy, an indictment of self-righteous authority figures who use religion to gaslight and control female bodies. —Jen Yamato, Washington Post, 20 Mar. 2024

It might also be heard as the sound of centuries of female iconography being smashed by this innovative art form. —Susan Dominus Emiliano Granado, New York Times, 1 Mar. 2024

Typography And Iconography In spatial computing for financial apps, prioritize clarity and legibility in typography and iconography, choosing simple, scalable designs that maintain visibility across varying distances and interactions. —Alex Kreger, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024

Ultimately, Ludvig’s is the story of a homesteader, and Arcel treats it with the iconography and grandeur of a classic western, Scandinavian style. —Katie Walsh, Los Angeles Times, 2 Feb. 2024

And when that same Catholic iconography appeared when Nicki Minaj staged an exorcism at the 2012 Grammy Awards, the rapper was criticized and compared to both Madonna and Lady Gaga. —Larisha Paul, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin iconographia, from Greek eikonographia sketch, description, from eikonographein to describe, from eikon- + graphein to write — more at carve

First Known Use

1678, in the meaning defined at sense 2