Iconology, Neoplatonism, and the Arts in the Renaissance

Iconology emerged in the mid-twentieth century, arguing that Renaissance artists synthesized their art with contemporary cosmology, philosophy, theology, and magic. This volume brings together historians from various specialist fields to explore the contested field of iconology, which will interest scholars in art history, Renaissance history, Renaissance studies, historiography, philosophy, theology, gender studies, and literature.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 234 pages
\n Publication date: 24 September 2020
\n Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd
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The mid-twentieth century witnessed a significant shift in the paradigms of art history, with the emergence of iconology as a novel trend. This trend claimed that renowned Renaissance artists, such as Botticelli, Leonardo, and Michelangelo, created imaginative syntheses between their art and contemporary cosmology, philosophy, theology, and magic. Neoplatonism, as espoused in the books by Marsilio Ficino and Giovanni Pico della Mirandola, gained widespread recognition for its enduring influence on art. It became widely accepted that Renaissance artists were not solely concerned with the intrinsic issues of their work but that their artifacts encompassed a much broader intellectual and cultural horizon.

To address the contested field of iconology, this volume brings together historians from various specialist fields, including art history, Renaissance history, Renaissance studies, historiography, philosophy, theology, gender studies, and literature. The book aims to engage with the diverse perspectives and methodologies employed in the study of icons and their significance in Renaissance culture.

Art historians will find this book particularly valuable as it provides a comprehensive exploration of the historical development and theoretical frameworks of iconology. It offers insights into the methods and approaches used by scholars to analyze and interpret icons, shedding light on the cultural, religious, and artistic contexts in which they were created. Renaissance historians will also find this book useful in understanding the broader intellectual and cultural landscape of the Italian Renaissance, as it highlights the connections between art and other disciplines such as cosmology, philosophy, theology, and magic.

Renaissance studies scholars will appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the book, which brings together historians from different fields to explore the complex relationships between art and culture. It offers a fresh perspective on the Renaissance by examining the role of icons in shaping artistic, intellectual, and social practices of the period. Philosophers, theologians, and gender studies scholars will find this book intriguing as it explores the philosophical and theological implications of iconography, as well as the gendered and sexualized aspects of icon-making and interpretation.

Literary scholars will also find this book valuable, as it examines the role of icons in literature and the ways in which they have been interpreted and analyzed by scholars. It offers insights into the ways in which icons have been used as symbols, metaphors, and narrative devices, and how they have contributed to the development of literary genres and themes.

In conclusion, this volume is a valuable resource for scholars interested in art history, Renaissance history, Renaissance studies, historiography, philosophy, theology, gender studies, and literature. It provides a comprehensive exploration of the contested field of iconology, engaging with the diverse perspectives and methodologies employed in the study of icons and their significance in Renaissance culture. By bringing together historians from various specialist fields, the book offers a rich and interdisciplinary understanding of the Italian Renaissance and its cultural legacy.

\n Weight: 716g\n
Dimension: 179 x 254 x 14 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9780367895297\n \n