© Dr. Jeanne I. Lakatos, Ph.D.
Introduction:
![My photo](http://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjLBGrYPDt_XVNSKoR1uAHZUlTgmZ6zCT7vLwJgTIvmBrdREVGP2gEiSd7XpO6TS4yfyMkIHW5_2PuC4EvGj5K2tcq3obnmoE0ejjzPNIiIa3n3yO9hdrwDB1O8jIcolPd2r3ZBAr3yIBbdhJbbgwyg0iCNgWaj7qotwhm293gEAvwpg/s220/IMG_7529%202%202.jpg)
- Dr. Jeanne Iris
- Current: Danbury, CT, United States
- Welcome! A few years ago, I discovered an application that artists employ in their works to bring cultural awareness to their audiences. Having discerned this semiotic theory that applies to literature, music, art, film, and the media, I have devoted the blog,Theory of Iconic Realism to explore this theory. The link to the publisher of my book is below. If you or your university would like a copy of this book for your library or if you would like to review it for a scholarly journal, please contact the Edwin Mellen Press at the link listed below. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Thank you for visiting. I hope you will find the information insightful. ~ Dr. Jeanne Iris
Announcements:
15 February, 2025
Einstein's Theory of Relativity and Iconic Realism
14 February, 2025
13 February, 2025
A Valentine Poem
12 February, 2025
Image of Jesus in My Maple Tree and Iconic Realism
Each morning, as I sip my cup of coffee and look out my living room window, I am blessed with this image of Jesus, divinely etched in the trunk of a maple tree. Sometimes, He is more difficult to see at first, but His appearance always comes through eventually. Isn't that just like Him, though? Whenever we struggle through life, we don't always feel the presence of our Lord until we step back, ponder, and realize that He has been with us all along, guiding, sharing, and comforting.
How does this reveal the semiotic theory of iconic realism?
1. We have an iconic, etched image of Jesus, the Christ.
2. His image has been etched by God (or Nature if you like) on the trunk of a maple tree, not the usual placement of such an image.
3. He is present there to remind my family, friends, and me that He is always with us, even when our troubled, bewildered minds fail to recognize His beloved, peaceful presence.
11 February, 2025
Natural Order and Iconic Realism
10 February, 2025
F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg and Iconic Realism
In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, The Great Gatsby, the eyes of Dr. T.J. Eckleburg peer across the ‘dumping ground’ of American spirit. This example of iconic realism portrays eyes as the ‘windows of the soul’ of a country steeping in corruption and superficiality. Fitzgerald places these eyes on an old billboard, gazing across a field of forgotten possessions, bringing into focus America’s mindset to be ever vigilant of the forefathers’ intentions of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’
09 February, 2025
Iconic Realism in Three Different Centuries of Art
13th century: depiction of Jean de Meun's Roman de la Rose (photo from Google Images)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTKed-DxFK9F9mqJZgFA_ILPap86dwdrS7MwG3TYT5DvQCF5LHcfBcNqQcJ0lRZ4eiGRex_T6XH-VRBnU7KFNeL1IqybXLuXsJ5PlRSzbj_rtWqJ9L250pFsEloLrX_AW8UetR6zjOqQ/s200/dali+Rose.bmp)
20th century: Salvador Dali's Rose (photo from Google Images)
The above paintings, from top to bottom: an illustration from the medieval poem, Roman de la Rose, Breughel's Fall of Icarus and Dali's Rose, are examples of artistic renderings of this theory. The function of semiotic representation is the reflection of the society in which both the artist and the audience reside. However, the artistic rendering does not necessarily reflect the standard of that community, for the intention of the artist may well be to create a piece that jolts the audience into a need for cultural change. This would be the reason for an artist employing the use of iconic realism, assisting the audience to become adroitly aware of that aspect of the culture with which they are familiar and its need for transformation.