A Closer Look: Allegory

by Erika Langmuir

Overview

Painters in the past and commercial artists in our own day have relied on allegory to create "message pictures." Once thought to rival literary works or political oratory in influence and prestige, such paintings, with their references to ancient myth, the Bible, or medieval astrology, all too often puzzle modern viewers. This Closer Look guide illustrates and explains the main types of visual allegory in Western art and the contexts in which they were originally created and viewed.


Published by the National Gallery Company/Distributed by Yale University Press

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781857094855
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	06/24/2010
Series:	A Closer Look
Pages:	96
Product dimensions:	5.80(w) x 8.20(h) x 0.30(d)

About the Author

Erika Langmuir, OBE, was Head of Education at the National Gallery, London, and is the author of many books, including Masterpieces and The National Gallery Companion Guide.