Iconophages: A History of Ingesting Images by Jérémie Koering, translated by Nicholas Huckle, delves into the surprising and often bizarre history of how images have been consumed—literally eaten or drunk—throughout Western history. This scholarly yet accessible work spans various disciplines, including art history, cultural anthropology, religious studies, and the history of the senses, providing readers with a multifaceted exploration of “iconophagy” or the act of ingesting images.
Koering traces the origins of this practice back to ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians and Greeks, before examining its prevalence in Christian traditions. The book uncovers a fascinating array of examples, from the ritualistic consumption of Eucharistic wafers bearing religious images to the more eccentric practices like eating pastries shaped like bones (ossa dei morti) in Sicily. These acts were believed to imbue the consumer with the power or essence of the depicted figure, blurring the lines between the physical and the spiritual.
What sets Iconophages apart is Koering’s ability to balance rigorous academic analysis with a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking.
His exploration of how images have been incorporated into the body as a form of devotion, healing, or even magic invites readers to reconsider the boundaries between the sacred and the profane, the visual and the visceral.
The book also challenges the traditional, ocular-centric approach to art history, suggesting that our interaction with images has always been far more complex and embodied than previously acknowledged.
Critics have praised the book for its originality and depth. For instance, Publishers Weekly highlighted Koering’s “scholarly rigor” and “visceral delight” in presenting this unique subject matter, noting that the book offers a “fascinating consideration of the meaning and power of art, food, and ritual.”
Similarly, James Elkins from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago lauded Iconophages as a “tremendously entertaining book” that successfully intertwines historical, anthropological, and religious insights.
Iconophages: A History of Ingesting Images, released on August 20, 2024, is a groundbreaking work that will appeal to scholars and curious readers alike. It sheds new light on the ways we interact with images, making it a significant contribution to the fields of art history and cultural studies.
For more details, you can check out the book on Amazon
Several influential books have explored the concept of “reading an image,” offering a variety of perspectives from art history, cultural studies, and semiotics. Here are some key texts:
“Ways of Seeing” by John Berger (1972)
This seminal work, originally a BBC television series, revolutionized how people think about visual culture. Berger argues that images, particularly paintings, should be understood not just as aesthetic objects but as bearers of meaning shaped by social and historical contexts. His exploration of how images are “read” rather than simply “seen” has had a profound impact on art history and visual studies.
“Ways of Seeing” by John Berger (1972) is available on Amazon.
“On Photography” by Susan Sontag (1977)
Sontag’s collection of essays explores the power and influence of photographs in shaping public perception and memory. She argues that photographs can be “read” as texts that reveal cultural values and ideologies.
“On Photography” by Susan Sontag (1977) is available on Amazon.
“Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography” by Roland Barthes (1980)
Barthes’ text is a philosophical meditation on photography, where he introduces concepts like the studium and punctum to describe how viewers engage with images. This book explores the idea that photographs can evoke deep emotional responses and how these images are “read” based on the viewer’s personal and cultural context.
“Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography” by Roland Barthes (1980) is available on Amazon.
“The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes (1967):
Although this essay is more broadly about literary theory, Barthes’ ideas about the role of the reader in interpreting texts have been influential in how images are understood. Barthes suggests that the meaning of an image is not fixed by its creator but is instead constructed by the viewer.
“The Death of the Author” by Roland Barthes (1967) is available on Amazon.
“Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture” by Marita Sturken and Lisa Cartwright (2001)
This book provides a comprehensive overview of how we interpret images in contemporary culture. It discusses a range of visual media, including photography, film, and television, and examines how images communicate meaning through cultural codes and conventions.
“Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture” by Marita Sturken and Lisa Cartwright (2001)
“Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation” by E.H. Gombrich (1960)
Gombrich examines how viewers perceive and interpret images, particularly in the context of art. His work discusses the psychological processes involved in reading images and how these processes have evolved over time.
“Art and Illusion: A Study in the Psychology of Pictorial Representation” by E.H. Gombrich (1960)
“Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials” by Gillian Rose (2001)
This book offers a guide to different methods of analyzing visual materials, including images. Rose discusses how images are constructed and how they can be deconstructed to reveal underlying meanings and power structures.
“Visual Methodologies: An Introduction to the Interpretation of Visual Materials” by Gillian Rose (2001)
These books collectively offer a rich exploration of how images are “read” and understood, emphasizing that the act of viewing is an active, interpretive process shaped by cultural, historical, and personal factors.
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