You have to read the Introduction of this book to understand a lot of what is inside the book as well as the reason for the book's lay-out. Throughout the pages, there are many references to the "Fourteen Holy Helpers" which I've never heard of, I assumed, because I'm not Catholic. But I wonder if you've heard of this place: the Vierzehnheiligen Sanctuary in Bavaria, Germany was built in 1743. Around its fabulous alter are large colorful statues of 14 saints. Each of these saints was carefully chosen to represent the most identifiable ones regarding their symbols and whom they serve as Patrons. All through the book, you see these saints as well as other saints who are mentioned having connections to them. From earliest times through the Renaissance, the average person could look at religious paintings or statues or stained glass windows and quickly understand who was being depicted by the surroundings and by their symbols. Because this has been largely lost over the centuries, this book recaptures the original significance of each saint via the story of his or her life, the reason for sainthood and the symbols that are repeated over and over in art.
The saints range from Acacius to Zeno of Verona. They are listed in alphabetical order. In the back, you can find an alphabetical list of "symbols and attributes" such as chains being associated with St. Leonard or a lamp for St. Clare. Then there is alphabetized "protectors and patrons" such as St. Valentine for lovers.
The more famous the saints, the more pages and more paintings are devoted to them. There are many "one-pagers" like St. Isidore or St. Cajetan (who?). St. John the Baptist is depicted in 9 paintings over 9 pages. This is because it must be shown that: he was Jesus' cousin, he baptized Jesus, he lived in the widerness and was beheaded at the behest of Salome. Each saint's story is told and in each painting, there are lines drawn to important parts and captioned so we can understand the meaning. For example, timely now, St. Nicholas was the bishop of Myra and hearing of three sisters who were going to be forced into prostitution, he secretly gave them money to save them from this fate. In paintings, just seeing three little girls asleep alerts you which saint this is about.
Each saint has a brief "bio" on the side of the first page. The headings include the "Name" and its origin, the site and time of their "Earthly Life," their "Characteristics and Activity," "Patron" (who calls upon them), and "Connections with Other Saints." Some saints have additional information such as when they were "Venerated," what "Special Devotions" are attributed to them and when is their "Feast Day."
I found a few flaws such as the lists in the back not perfectly matching a given saint's info. For example, I'm attorney and I was surprised to see Jesus adopted father, St. Joseph, is the patron saint of attorneys. There is no listing for "attorney" though...but there is for "lawyer." However, only St. Ivo is given for lawyers.
It has taken me quite a while to write this review as I keep getting lost in the interesting text and paintings. Other books in this great series include:
Symbols and Allegories in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
Symbols of Power in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
Artists' Techniques and Materials (A Guide to Imagery)
Icons and Saints of the Eastern Orthodox Church (A Guide to Imagery)
Astrology, Magic, and Alchemy in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
Music in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
Love and the Erotic in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
Angels and Demons in Art (A Guide to Imagery)
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