218. Images

See also 23. ART ; 170. FORM ; 315. PHOTOGRAPHY ; 352. REPRESENTATION .

diptych

1. a two-leafed waxed tablet for writing with a stylus.

2. a pair of paintings or other images on two hinged leaves.

hologram

a three-dimensional representation in photographic form, recorded on film by a reflected laser beam of a subject illuminated by part of the same laser beam. —holograph, holography , n.

iconism

Obsolete, imagery.

iconoclasm

1. the practice of destroying images, especially those created for religious veneration.

2. the practice of opposing cherished beliefs or traditional institutions as being founded on error or superstition.

3. the doctrines underlying these practices. —iconoclast , n. —iconoclastic , adj.

iconodule, iconodulist

a person who worships images.

iconolatry

the worship or adoration of images. Also called idolatry . —iconolater , n.

iconology

1. the study of images.

2. iconography. —iconologist , n. —iconological , adj.

iconomachy

opposition to icons or other forms of sacred imagery.

iconomania

a mania for icons.

phantasm

the mental image or representation of a real person or thing. See also 182. GHOSTS ; 309. PERCEPTION .

phantasmagoria

a type of magic-lantern show in which rapidly moving images blend, change size, etc.; hence, any series of images that move and change rapidly, as a dream. —phantasmagorial, phantasmagoric , adj.

sciamachy, sciomachy

battle with shadows or imaginary enemies.

simulacrum

1. an image orlikeness.

2. a mere image or one that does not represent the reality of the original.

speciosity

the state or quality of appearing to be greater or more than is to be found on a close examination, as an argument that has the appearance of merit but does not stand up to a close look. —specious , adj.

symbolism

symbology, defs. 1 and 2.

symbology

1. the study and interpretation of symbols. Also called symbolism.

2. representation by means of symbols. Also called symbolism.

3 . any system of symbols. —symbologist , n. —symbological, adj.

teliconograph

an apparatus combining a telescope and the camera lucida, used for producing images of distant objects on a screen.

triptych

a set of three paintings or images, each on a separate leaf, but hinged together.

whoredom

Bible. the worship of idols instead of God; idolatry.

images. The use of any representation of men, animals or plants was prohibited in the Mosaic Law (Exod. 20: 4) because of the dangers of idolatry. Though images are mentioned in other parts of the OT, it seems that from the time of the Maccabees the Palestinian Jews observed the prohibition strictly, at least as far as the Temple was concerned.

The earliest known Christian pictures are paintings in the catacombs, some from the 2nd cent. After the period of the persecutions, sacred images came to play an important part in the cultus, especially in the E. This was justified by stressing the theological significance of the Incarnation in which God had become visible by taking human nature. Since the settlement of the Iconoclastic Controversy, icons have continued to be an integral element in Orthodox religion. In the W. the veneration of images, which included statues, made slower progress. It was given a doctrinal basis by St Thomas Aquinas on the lines laid down by E. theologians, that is that the honour paid to the image passes to its prototype. At the Reformation the use of images was opposed by most of the Reformers, especially the followers of U. Zwingli and J. Calvin, who were followed by the Puritans. The Lutherans were more tolerant of the practice and keep a crucifix on their altars.

Images (Pictures). Title given by Debussy to 2 works: (1) Images for orch. (Gigues, 1909–12, orch. Caplet; Ibéria, 1905–8, and Rondes de Printemps, 1905–9). F.p. as triptych, Paris 1913 cond. Pierné. (2) 2 sets for solo pf., set 1 (1905) containing Reflets dans l'eau, Hommage à Rameau, Mouvement; set 2 (1907) containing Cloches à travers les feuilles, Et la lune descend sur le temple qui fut, and Poissons d'or.

Images: see ICONOGRAPHY.