Aniconism: definitions, examples and comparative perspectives

This introductory essay to this thematic issue on aniconism argues for the value of considering various forms of aniconism side by side. It summarizes briefly the historiography of the terms 'aniconism' and 'aniconic,' noting that they originate in the work of Johannes Adolph Ove...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Religion (London. 1971) 2017-07, Vol.47 (3), p.335-352
Main Author: Gaifman, Milette
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
4th century
aniconic
aniconicity
Aniconism
Anthropomorphism
anthropomorphization
Artistic representation (Imitation)
Comparative analysis
divine presence
Divinity
Greek civilization
Greek religion
Historiography
iconic images
Johannes Adolph Overbeck
Materiality
Religious art
Semantics
Spirituality
Visual culture
Worship
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Summary:This introductory essay to this thematic issue on aniconism argues for the value of considering various forms of aniconism side by side. It summarizes briefly the historiography of the terms 'aniconism' and 'aniconic,' noting that they originate in the work of Johannes Adolph Overbeck, who coined the expressions anikonisch and Anikonismus. It considers current definitions and proposes 'aniconism' be used to denote divine presence without a figural image in religious practice, in the visual arts, and in visual culture more broadly. It then discusses three instances of aniconism from Greek antiquity: the cult of Aphrodite in Paphos, the pillar of Zeus depicted on a 4th-century BCE vase, and the seats of Zeus and Hekate on the island of Chalke. These examples illustrate some of the challenges that face the student of aniconism, particularly the difficulty in assessing the nature of an aniconic monument. The discussion then turns to the manner in which the terms are deployed and understood today. It notes the strong association between aniconism and the earliest phases of a particular visual tradition, the view of aniconism as a lesser mode of denoting divine presence, and the perception that aniconic worship is connected with an increased spirituality. Finally, the article highlights some of the common themes that emerge from the contributions to this thematic issue, including the need to consider various forms of aniconism and to expand the range of phenomena that can be regarded as aniconic.
ISSN:0048-721X
1096-1151
DOI:10.1080/0048721X.2017.1342987