Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art (Icon Editions) Review

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Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art (Icon Editions) ReviewAuthor: Lee Sandstead
Most great works of art are narratives or allegories that relate a story, myth, legend or particular concept, but in our era of pathetic education, most people are not familiar with the stories from Antiquity or the Judeo-Christian heritage that are necessary to decipher those narratives or allegories. The "Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art," by James Hall, is a dictionary that defines the major subjects and symbols of western art. It contains numerous explanations of legends, myths, symbols, heroes, heroines and citations that show, if applicable, their original source in historical texts or literature.

In Jacques-Louis David's "The Oath of the Horatii," we see three men reaching their arms out to an older man raising three swords. To the right of them are women and children on the floor in anguish. If you are not familiar with Livy, Plutarch or Pierre Corneille's play "Horace," then the story will probably escape you, and you will be at the mercy of the title for any information regarding the painting's subject. But by having the "Dictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art," you can read about the Horatii as a subject. For instance, you will learn that the legend is recounted in Livy and Plutarch; that the three men with raised arms are brothers; that the elderly man with the three swords is their father; that the action being preformed is an oath taken by the brothers to defend Rome by killing three of their cousins; and that one of the women on the ground is married to one of the fated cousins. By knowing this factual information, you can discern the theme of the painting-one should sacrifice all for the State-and be able to judge the painting not only for its style, but also its explicit message.

I believe that everyone should have a copy of this book in their home. Personally, it has enabled me to garner more meaning, more value and more passion out of my favorite works of art.

Best,
Lee SandsteadDictionary of Subjects and Symbols in Art (Icon Editions) Overview

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The Flight of Dragons Review

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The Flight of Dragons ReviewPeter Dickinson's classic book on such imponderables as how (and why) dragons fly is one of my favorite books on the care and feeding of our scaled neighbors. He goes into great detail about what it takes to get a 20,000-pound appetite up into the air and speeding to its next meal. Sometimes slightly tongue-in-cheek, Dickinson draws on legend and story to create a delightful theory that takes the imaginary and makes it real.
Not satisfied with explaining away the impossible, Dickinson goes on to explore the dragon life cycle, habitat and sociology. I took particular delight in the section that explains that most horrific of monsters, the george, otherwise known as 'the mean man in the tin can.' He is quite outspoken about the monstrous atrocities committed in the name of 'dragon-slaying.' And for doubters, there is even a section citing the evidences for the existence of dragons. Of course, those of us who drive from peak to peak dragon-watching in our ancient Volkswagen busses need no further evidence.
The other delight in this book is the rich illustration by Wayne Anderson. We find dragons cute and fearsome, old and new. The work is both beautiful and whimsical, and you will find yourself returning to the images countless times, whenever the dream starts to fade. The book is both beautiful and fun - a worthwhile addition to the mythophile's library.The Flight of Dragons Overview

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Stopping Time: The Photographs of Harold Edgerton Review

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Stopping Time: The Photographs of Harold Edgerton ReviewMany of these photos were familiar to me but I'd not realized all originated with the same person. The book is vaguely grouped into sports shots, everyday item shots, bullet shots, and high-tech science shots with other various photos strewn about.
I found the commentary on individual pictures to be informative and interesting. The introduction, however, seemed to wander into an essay about art movements in the mid-1900s and didn't provide information I wanted to know.
Overall this is a fascinating work to flip through.Stopping Time: The Photographs of Harold Edgerton Overview

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