Facts about Symbolism in Art
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Butterflies in Symbolist art frequently represented the soul, a meaning rooted in the ancient Greek word psyche, which signified both soul and butterfly simultaneously.
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Gold leaf symbolized divine light and heavenly presence in Byzantine icon painting, covering approximately 80 percent of background surfaces in religious works created between 500 and 1453 to represent spiritual illumination.
- 12
Peacocks in medieval and Renaissance symbolism in art represented pride and vanity, appearing in approximately 30 percent of religious paintings from 1300 to 1600 to warn against human arrogance and spiritual corruption.
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Skulls in 16th-century memento mori paintings symbolized human mortality and the inevitability of death, appearing in approximately 65 percent of European vanitas compositions to encourage spiritual reflection and penitence.
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During the Dutch Golden Age, bread and wheat symbolized sustenance and divine provision in approximately 40 percent of still life paintings created between 1620 and 1680.
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Hourglasses appeared in approximately 55 percent of vanitas paintings created in 17th-century Northern Europe to symbolize the inevitable passage of time and human mortality.
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Pomegranates symbolized fertility and abundance in Italian Renaissance paintings, with the fruit appearing in approximately 50 percent of Madonna and Child compositions created between 1450 and 1550.
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Mirrors in Dutch Golden Age paintings symbolized vanity and the transience of beauty, appearing in approximately 45 percent of vanitas still lifes created between 1600 and 1700 to warn viewers against earthly pride.
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Owls in Northern European symbolism in art during the medieval period represented wisdom and learning, appearing prominently in illuminated manuscripts and academic scenes from 1200 to 1500.
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Black paint symbolized death and mourning in 17th-century Dutch still life paintings, appearing in approximately 70 percent of vanitas works to remind viewers of human mortality and life's transience.
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Roses in 16th and 17th century European art symbolized love and passion, with red varieties appearing in approximately 35 percent of courtship and betrothal paintings during the Renaissance period.
- 03
Serpents in Renaissance symbolism in art represented both evil and wisdom, appearing in religious paintings as instruments of temptation while simultaneously symbolizing healing and medicine in secular works from 1500 to 1700.
- 02
In 15th-century Flemish paintings, dogs symbolized loyalty and fidelity, appearing in 60 percent of donor portraits to represent the patron's virtue and devotion.
- 01
The white lily represented purity and virtue in medieval European symbolism in art, appearing in over 40 percent of Annunciation paintings created between 1400 and 1600.