In Media Studies we see iconography as part of genre, and particularly film genre. Students need to know the term and how it is used. It is quite a complex concept, that informs image analysis and the deconstruction of genre. Iconography originates from the study of art.
In Europe in the15th & 16th centuries artists creating work of a Christian nature would look up reference books to check the colours, composition, hand gestures, poses and facial expressions that past masters traditionally used, because they conveyed the most significant meaning to the ordinary person.
These meaningful images came to be known as iconic, and their use is iconography.
For example most paintings of the Madonna, including modern ones, show her in a robe of deep blue. The Virgin wears a blue robe, the colour symbolic of heaven and a reminder of the Virgin’s role as Queen of Heaven. This colour came to be an icon for her role as a spiritual mother who has dignity and religious importance. The blue robe is part of the iconography of this form of art throughout the centuries.
Right - Madonna and Child by Donielle Boal fineartamerica.com/featured/madonna-and-child…
Left - Madonna and Five Angels by Botticelli
Definition
Steve Campsall’s definition of iconography is useful. (Steve Campsall - Media - GCSE Film Analysis Guide (3) – SJC)
‘Iconography is...
