Language in the Visual Arts

This book discusses text and image relationships in the history of art from ancient times to the contemporary period across a diversity of cultures and geographic areas. Focusing on the use of words in art and words as art forms, thematic chapters include “Pictures in Words/Words in Pictures,” “Word/Picture Puzzles,” “Picture/Word Puzzles,” “Words as Images,” “The Power of the Word,” and “Monumental and Moving Words.” Chapter subsections further explore cross-cultural themes. Examining text and image relationships from the obvious to the elusive, the puzzling to the profound, the minor to the major, the book demonstrates the diverse ways in which images and writing have been combined through the ages, and explores the interplay between visual and written communication in a wide range of thought-provoking examples. A color insert is included.
Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Leslie Ross is a professor and chair of art history at Dominican University of California (San Rafael). She lives in Tiburon, California.

Leslie Ross
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 240
Bibliographic Info: 86 photos (11 in color), notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2014
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6795-2
eISBN: 978-1-4766-1625-4
Imprint: McFarland

Preface and Acknowledgments 1
Introduction. Visual Wordplay: A Thousand Words 5
One. Pictures in Words/Words in Pictures: Working Together 15
Two. Word/Picture Puzzles 43
Three. Picture/Word Puzzles 68
Between pages 92 and 93 is an 8-page color insert
Four. Words as Images 93
Five. The Power of the Word 122
Six. Monumental and Moving Words 151
Conclusion. The Bottom Line 177
Chapter Notes 185
Bibliography 205
Index 223