A bit of symbolism in art

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Symbolism is very important in the history of art and develops in time along with the culture. Worldview and the worldview of medieval man different from the modern and possess certain characteristics, without the knowledge of which is impossible to fully perceive the paintings of that time. The semantic structure of the characters are multi-layered and is designed for active inner workings of the perceiver, ie viewer. The very structure of the character aims to load each individual element in the phenomenon of "first principles" of life and give a complete image of this phenomenon. If an item allows you to be seen, the character himself as if "looking" at us. The meaning of symbols can not be decrypted by a simple force of reason, it is necessary to "get used", but to do it - a symbol need to know. Between symbol and myth, there is kinship, a symbol and a myth - and inherited his social and communicative functions. By studying the character, we not only parse and view it as an object, but also enables its creator to appeal to us: An artist is not only a feeling in the audience, but also makes him in touch with what is happening in the picture.

Symbols - is recognizable elements that convey specific meaning, ideas, concepts - serve as a reliable "tongue" in all the visual arts, and especially in painting. Undoubtedly, some characters emerged from the peoples themselves, and many similar characters can be explained by the general psychological and cultural reasons, for example, the symbol of the sun - in the form of wheels, lightning - in the form of a hammer, but in many cases reveals the cultural interaction of people and transfer of cultural symbols by and trade relations, monetary circulation, religious ideas. Many characters were immensely broad meaning, for example, symbols of the cross, eagle, fish, and such characters as the lily and the rose became permanent fixture in the images of St. Mary, St.. George struck his spear a sea dragon, a halo around the head of the saints.

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The symbol is drawn not only to reason, but also to the feelings of man, his subconscious, creates complex associations and often depends on age, religion, culture of the people. If the symbol is multivalued, then you should take some of his values, which corresponds to an epoch of time, the overall system, the spirit of the picture - not contradict him, and not destroy it. The symbol can be indicated by a number, a property form. For example, the number 7 - a symbol of perfection and completeness (seven colors of the rainbow, seven notes, seven days a week, seven virtues, seven deadly sins), blue (the sky) - a symbol of the spiritual, form a circle, resembling the sun and the moon - a symbol of divine perfection. Another group of symbols - objects, events, or actions, as well as artistic images that embody any idea. For example, an olive branch - a symbol of peace, flower daffodil - a symbol of death, the baby - a symbol of the human soul. Light - a symbol of spiritual enlightenment, divine grace; rainbow (the meeting of Heaven on Earth) - a symbol of reconciliation with the people of God, forgiveness of human sins. Weaving symbolizes the creation of the universe, the world, the definition of the fate of all existence; fishing - proselytizing (Jesus taught his disciples to be "fishers of men"). The artistic image of a centaur - the symbol of vile passions, feuds (if depicted with a quiver, arrows and bow), in religious compositions - a symbol of heresy. The symbol associated with the outward signs of the subject and always reflect his deep essence. For example, an owl - a night bird, so one of its symbolic meanings - sleep, death.

Form, focus and content of art were closely connected with religion and remained under the strict control of the church, so in painting, there were rules and techniques - the canons, which was supposed to follow each artist. Types of image composition scheme, symbols approved and publicized the church, but the canon is not paralyzed by the thought of a medieval painter, and disciplined him, made a closer attention to detail. Language of religious symbols had to send complex and profound notion of spiritual reality. And many could not read, but the language of symbols has been instilled every believer since childhood.

Symbols colors, gestures, depicted objects - it is the language of icons. Proportions countenance deliberately distorted. It was believed that the eyes - a mirror of the soul, so the eyes on the icons are so big and heartfelt. Since Rublevskoe first time in the XV. eyes have not written so exaggeratedly large, however, they have always paid great attention. We Theophanes the Greek, some saints are depicted with their eyes closed or even with empty eye sockets - this way the artist tried to convey the idea that their opinion is not directed at the outside world, but inward, to the contemplation of divine truth and inner prayer. The figures depicted biblical characters were written less tightly nemnogosloyno intentionally pulled, creating a visual effect of their lightness, overcame physicality and depth to their bodies. They seemed to hover in space above the earth, which is an expression of their spirituality, and a transformed state. Proper image of a man takes the basic space of the icon. Everything Else - Chambers, mountains, trees play a secondary role, their sign nature brought to a maximum of conventionality. However, they have some semantic meaning: Mountain - symbolizes the way of man to God, oak - a symbol of eternal life, the cup and the vine - the symbols of the redemptive sacrifice of Christ, a dove - a symbol of the Holy Spirit, etc.

All the artists have resorted to the symbolism of the color inks, each color which brings its meaning and mood:
- Gold - the color symbolizing the divine radiance of glory, in which dwell the saints. Golden background of the icon, haloes of the saints, a golden glow around the figure of Christ, the Savior and the golden garments of the Virgin - all this is an expression of holiness and belonging to the world of eternal values;
- yellow or ocher - the color of the highest power of angels, closest to the spectrum to the gold, is often just a substitute;
- White - the color symbolizing purity and innocence, the involvement of the divine world. The white garments of Christ are written, for example in the composition "Transfiguration", as well as clothing of the righteous on the icons depicting the Last Judgment;
- Black - the color symbolizing in some cases, hell, the maximum distance from God, in others - a sign of sorrow and humility;
- Blue - the color of the Virgin, also signified the purity and righteousness;
- Blue - the color of greatness, a symbol of divine, heavenly, incomprehensible mystery and depth of revelation;
- Red - the royal color, a symbol of power and strength (coat of Michael the Archangel - the leader of the heavenly host and St George - the winner of a snake), in other cases could be a symbol of the atoning blood of martyrdom.
- Green - a symbol of eternal life, eternal bloom, and color of the Holy Spirit.

Special symbolic meaning has been, and gestures, as a gesture icons conveys some spiritual impulse and has some spiritual information:
- A hand pressed to his chest - heart empathy;
- Hand raised up - the call to repentance;
- A hand forward with an open hand - a sign of obedience and submission;
- Two hands raised up - the prayers of the world;
- Hands raised ahead - praying for help, a gesture of request;
- Hands pressed to her cheeks - a sign of sorrow, grief.

This is not an exhaustive material on the symbolism of gestures and colors (from different cultures may vary). It is no accident the icon called "theology in color".

Of great importance were also the objects in the hands of the saint depicted as symbols of his ministry. Thus, the apostle Paul is usually depicted with a book in hand - this is the gospel, sometimes with a sword - symbolizing the Word of God. In Peter's hands are usually the keys - the keys of the kingdom of God. Martyrs are depicted with a cross in his hands or palm branches - symbols of belonging to the kingdom of heaven, prophets are usually kept in the hands of the scrolls of his prophecies.

Since the spread of Christianity in the West and the East took place in different historical circumstances, the church art also developed in different ways. In Western Europe, the icon was to be the most truthful to show and tell the Gospel story, hence increasing the realism and the gradual transformation of the icons in the picture with a religious subject, and as a consequence of the emergence of new art «art nova». The term - new art, borrowed from the history of music - very precisely defines the art of the Netherlands the first half of XV century. Intuitive and religious-mystical knowledge of the world formed the basis of the new North European culture. One of the founders of the art of the Early Northern Renaissance is the outstanding Netherlandish painter Jan van Eyck (b. ca. 1390 - the mind. In 1441) - he created «Arnolfini Portrait» - a unique phenomenon in the entire European painting at the time. First time the artist has depicted people in everyday circumstances surrounding them, without any connection with religious themes or imagery of Scripture.

On the canvas depicts a merchant Giovanni Arnolfini (there are many similarities with our V.V.P) from the Italian city of Luke and his young wife. Both are dressed in festive holiday costumes to meet the complex and quirky fashion of the time. Poses their solemn motionless, face full of the deepest seriousness. In the depths of cozy rooms hung round mirror - the symbol of God's all-seeing eye, reflecting the shape of two more people in the room but not eminent audience, apparently, witnesses to the marriage. In one of them the artist depicted himself as the inscription above the mirror: "Jan van Eyck was here", newlyweds artist performed in growth. Painter lovingly depicts the things that surround the newlyweds. These items tell a lot about the lifestyle of their hosts, emphasizing their burgher virtues - thrift, modesty, love of order. The ceremony takes place in the holy of holies burgher houses - the bedroom, where all things are deep-seated sense, referring to the sanctity of marriage vows and the family hearth. Almost all the images on the canvas objects have symbolic meanings: the dog stands for fidelity, a pair of shoes on the floor said the unity of the spouses couples, a brush - a sign of purity, a rosary - a symbol of piety, a convex mirror - eyes of the world, oranges - the fruit of the Garden of Eden, and hinted at the heavenly bliss and apple hints at fall. Become clear, and lit a single candle chandelier day - a symbolic and mystical presence of the Holy Spirit, sanctifying the sacrament because from time immemorial during wedding processions carried lighted torches and lanterns.
Lute - attribute of music (as one of the seven liberal arts), hearing (one of the five senses), Polyhymnia (one of the nine muses); lute - with a broken string, shown in a still life symbolizes the disorder;

- Viola - attribute some music (especially Terpsichore), as well as music; as a common replacement Lira (otherwise known as viola lyre) attribute of Apollo, Orpheus and Arion;

- Flute - pastoral (pastoral) tool, an attribute of a satyr Marsyas, a shepherd Argus, evangelical shepherds (in the Adoration of the Shepherds), widely used in ancient phallic symbol, the value retained by the flute, when it plays a man on paintings depicting lovers; attribute blemish;


pipe - in Christian art proclaims Judgment; straight pipe is a symbol of Glory (a long tube - good reputation, is short - bad); attribute Muses - Calliope, Evterpy and from the XVII century - the Clio.

Turning to other musical instruments, we find the relationship of many of them with certain characters, mythology, or the Holy Scriptures. Through this connection, they acquired their symbolic significance. Such, for example, a harp in the minds of Europeans of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance is firmly associated with the biblical King David, the legendary author of the Psalms. David is often depicted playing the instrument, in the scenes of his youthful life, when he was a shepherd. Such an interpretation alike in the biblical story of King David with Orpheus, domesticate animals by his playing on the lyre. But most of David can be seen playing music on the harp before Saul, who was suffering from melancholia.

In the XVII century, became popular philosophical idea of impermanence of all things - Vanitas (Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas Vanity of vanities and all - vanity). She was most clearly expressed in the still life. Music (sheet music and musical instruments) - the most vivid symbol of transience and ephemerality of existence: the sound ceased to vibrate - and now it is gone, he died. With clarity of meaning of the musical character can be compared only portrays them in the skull, extinguished the candle (with a more flowing smoke) and flowers (with the falling leaves). This last character is often chosen harpsichord masters of the XVII century as a decoration of their instruments. Some paintings are called - Allegory of transience (or Vanitas), for example, still life, Peter van der Villigen "Allegory of transience and glory».

Photo: Jan van Eyck, Arnolfini Portrait "
1434g and wood, canvas, 82x60 cm National Gallery, London, England