Signs & Symbols in Christian Art

Front Cover
Oxford University Press, 1959 - Art - 183 pages
First published in 1954 and having gone through several editions, this comprehensive book remains the authoritative source in the study of symbols in Christian art. This paperback edition includes all of the three hundred fifty illustrations from the original edition, as well as the complete and unabridged text, revealing . the symbolism inherent in representations of religious personages, the Earth and Sky, animals, birds, insects, and flowers. In addition to a discussion of objects treated symbolically in Christian art, George Ferguson explores Old Testament characters and events and their symbolic representation in art. In addition to a discussion of objects treated symbolically in Christian art, George Ferguson explores Old Testament characters and events and their symbolic representation in art.
 

Selected pages

Contents

Animals Birds and Insects
11
Flowers Trees and Plants
27
Earth and Sky
40
The Human Body
46
The Old Testament
51
St John the Baptist
69
The Virgin Mary
71
Jesus Christ
76
The Saints
206
Radiances Letters Colors and Numbers
140
Religious Dress
147
Religious Objects
153
Artifacts
161
List of Plates
177
Index of Names and Subjects
180
Copyright

The Trinity the Madonna and Angels
92

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Common terms and phrases

About the author (1959)

The late George Ferguson was Rector of Saint Philip's In the Hills Episcopal Parish in Tucson, Arizona.