Unpack the powerful visual symbols artists have used throughout history. 
 
From a single flower to a carefully placed skull, works of art across history are filled with symbols that carry powerful meanings. The Symbols of Art reveals how artists use these symbols to communicate ideas without relying on words. 
 
Why is there a lily in that religious painting? Why does a still life include an hourglass, a mirror or a piece of fruit? In some cases, these symbols would have been immediately understood by contemporary viewers but now need decoding for a modern audience. In other instances, symbolism is more deliberately elusive, inviting viewers to look closer and think deeper. 
 
This richly illustrated visual reference includes: 

• Over 100 key symbols drawn from art history 
• Symbols from the natural world, the manmade world, the supernatural, and colours and shapes 
• Famous artworks used as case studies to show symbolism in context 
• How meanings change across cultures, movements and centuries 
• An easy-to-navigate, fully indexed structure designed for quick consultation as well as browsing