Throughout centuries of European history, the legends of the Bible and the saints have provides an extraordinary source of artistic inspiration. Yet the full complexity of their representation and iconography often remains unknown, even to the most erudite art specialists.

This fully illustrated volume-the first in a series of easy-to-use and authoritative Flammarion Iconographic Guides-identifies over five hundred Christian saints and other characters from the Old and New Testaments, providing clear and precise definitions of the attributes by which they are known in Western and Byzantine art.

Further subjects covered include the apocrypha, significant religious scenes, and the rich and fascinating symbolism associated with objects, numbers, colors, and a complete bestiary of both real and imaginary beasts-the lion and the lamb, the dragon and the unicorn.

The extraordinary array of visual material, drawn exclusively from paintings, engravings, manuscripts, and sculptures from the early Christian era to the Counter-Reformation, and an extensive system of cross-references make this handy and beautifully designed guide an invaluable resource for scholars, students, travellers, museum-goers, and anyone interested in discovering the full significance of the greatest masterpieces of European art.