A Critique of the Book “Image and Word: Approaches to Iconology”

The present article is a critique of the book “Image and Word: Approaches to Iconology”. The importance of introducing and reviewing this work is studying of Erwin Panovsky's views on Image, Iconography and Iconology, as well as the presentation of relevant approaches in this field from the perspective of theorists such as Aby Warburg, Hans Belting, Mieke Bal and Georges Didi-Huberman. This makes it possible to analyze and compare the approaches in parallel and in opposition to each other. Therefore, the usage of this book is for those who want to become familiar with Iconology as a Theoretical Framework and a kind of Methodology. As for knowing and understanding the agreeing and disagreeing views, it will be suitable.In this article, in order to describe the content and concepts embodied in the book, it is separately addressed to each of the chapters; In addition, while describing the material, they refer to the similarities and differences between the views of these theorists, as well as to the subject matter under consideration by the author, mentioning the related items. Finally, the above approaches are summarized and the strengths and some ambiguities in the concepts are mentioned.