iconography
noun
Did you know?
If you saw a 17th-century painting of a man writing at a desk with a lion at his feet, would you know you were looking at St. Jerome, translator of the Bible, who, according to legend, once pulled a thorn from the paw of a lion, which thereafter became his devoted friend? And if a painting showed a young woman reclining on a bed with a shower of gold descending on her, would you recognize her as Danaë, locked up in a tower to keep her away from the lustful Zeus, who then managed to gain access to her by transforming himself into golden light (or golden coins)? An iconographic approach to art can make museum-going a lot of fun—and amateur iconographers know there are also plenty of symbols lurking in the images that advertisers bombard us with daily.
Examples of iconography in a Sentence
Brett Braley, Robb Report, 30 July 2025
For all those twists and turns, the sentiments in Dutch Interior’s lyrics often have more of a cohesive feeling, chock full of western ennui and religious iconography.
—Leah Lu, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
Each glass can hold up to around 17 ounces (a generous pour for cider, sangria, or punch) and features clean lines and bold iconography.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 July 2025
Here the artist's Catholic iconography is not subtle.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for iconography
Cite this Entry
“Iconography.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iconography. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025.
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