From Eyes To Spirit

As a renowned art history researcher, Erwin Panofsky’s theory of iconology through visual symbols extended the humanism theme of art. His research on Iconology formed the so-called’period of Iconology’in art history by Westerners after World War Ⅱ,which related to the’period of style’. Panofsky not only adopted the tradition of Germany classic academy,but was influenced by the training of modern science of art as well. He employed 3 systems to describe the change from’eye to mental’.and got art history in touch with other subjects of social sciences. So why doesn’t Panofsky follow Wolfflin’s theory and get some innovative ideas,and why does he would like to explore the field of art history on his own?how’s the new academic method and its meaning of philosophy.How do his books reflect the innovation and application of Iconology? What are other academics’opinions on his theory?This paper will focus on the book of’Studies in Iconology’and discuss the theory and application of the theory of Iconology.So that,we can demonstrate the significance and value of Panofsky’s Historical thought.