4. Hierarchical Relationships

The broader context(s) for the iconography record; parents refer to Hierarchical Relationships, which are broader/narrower, reciprocal relationships between records.

Values are concatenated automatically, using the preferred name, qualifier/descriptive phrase, and appropriate indentation.

• Example:
  Top of the IA hierarchies 901000000
  …Legend, Religion, Myth (facet) 901000002
  …...Aztec Iconography 901000044
  …......Aztec Characters 901000974
  …...........Chalchiuhtlicue (Aztec deity, Aztec iconography, Legend, Religion, Mythology)901002066

Authoritative sources on the subject of iconography that provide background and context for hierarchical placement by the editor.

As with all of the Getty Vocabularies, each record is linked to its immediate parent by means of a numeric ID. The hierarchy is constructed through these links.

Hierarchical relationships form the structure of the Iconography Authority, even though the data may be displayed as a list.

The hierarchy in the Iconography Authority refers to the method of structuring and displaying the work records within their broader contexts. Relationships in the hierarchy are indicated with indentation.

The subdivisions of the IA are subject to frequent additions. As of this writing, the following facets provide the top level divisions of the IA. Each main level may have several subfacets:

• Legend, Religion, Mythology
• Literature and Performing Arts
• Named Events
• Miscellaneous Topics

Hierarchical relationships between records in the Iconography Authority are generally instance or whole/part (rather than genus/species). The Iconography Authority is polyhierarchical, meaning that concepts can belong to more than one parent. Hierarchical relationships are referred to by genealogical terms: child, children, siblings, parent, grandparent, ancestors, descendents, etc.

Required: Link to the appropriate hierarchical level when adding a new Iconography Authority record.

For each new concept added to the IA, choose the hierarchical placement based on the descriptions bwlow. Note that the following list of subfacets is extensible and subject to frequent revision. If you require a classification level that is missing, contact the Getty Vocabulary Program.

Legend, Religion, Mythology

The Legend, Religion, Mythology facet includes themes, narratives, characters, and places associated with the iconography of legend, religion, and mythology. Historical events are included in the Named Events facet.

Concepts in this facet are numerous, given the rich heritage of depictions of religion, mythology, and legend in the history of art. Subdivisions of this facet are subject to frequent revision, based on contributions. As of this writing, the Legend, Religion, Mythology facet is further divided into the following subfacets, which themselves have subfacets.

• African iconography: Includes the iconography of African traditional religions and ancient religions. It is subdivided into:

  • African allegory and symbolism
  • African characters
  • African legendary places
  • African narratives

• Amerindian iconography: Includes the iconography of various belief systems of the Pre-Columbian Americas, some of which persist today. The list of subdivisions is likely to grow significantly with contributions. As of this writing, it is further divided into:

  • Aztec iconography
  • General Amerindian iconography
  • Inca iconography
  • Maya iconography
  • Sourthwestern Native American iconography
  • Toltec iconography

  Each of these sub-facets has further subdivisions by allegory and symbolism, characters, legendary places, and narratives.

• Ancient Near-Middle Eastern iconography: Includes subjects from the ancient Near and Middle Eastern cultures. It is subdivided into:

  • Ancient Near-Middle Eastern allegory and symbolism
  • Ancient Near-Middle Eastern characters
  • Ancient Near-Middle Eastern legendary places
  • Ancient Near-Middle Eastern narratives

• Arabian iconography: Includes subjects from the ancient Arabia. It is subdivided into:

  • Arabian allegory and symbolism
  • Arabian characters
  • Arabian legendary places
  • Arabian narratives

• Buddhist iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from Buddhist traditions. It is further divided into:

  • Buddhist allegory and symbolism
  • Buddhist characters
  • Buddhist legendary places
  • Buddhist narratives

• Chinese iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from traditional Chinese culture, not including Buddhist and Hindu iconography. It is further divided into:

  • Chinese allegory and symbolism
  • Chinese characters
  • Chinese legendary places
  • Chinese narratives

• Christian iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from the Christian tradition. It is further divided into various subfacets, including:

  • Christian allegory and symbolism
  • Christian characters
  • Christian legendary places
  • New Testament narratives
  • Other Christian narratives

• Egyptian iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from the ancient Egyptian tradition. It is further divided into subfacets:

  • Egyptian allegory and symbolism
  • Egyptian characters
  • Egyptian legendary places
  • Egyptian narratives

• European iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from traditional European culture, not including Christian and other named religious traditions. It is further divided into:

  • European allegory and symbolism
  • European characters
  • European legendary places
  • European narratives

• Greek iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from the ancient Greek tradition. It is further divided into:

  • Greek allegory and symbolism
  • Greek characters
  • Greek legendary places
  • Greek narratives

• Hindu iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from Hindu traditions. It is further divided into:

  • Hindu allegory and symbolism
  • Hindu characters
  • Hindu legendary places
  • Hindu narratives

• Islamic iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from Islamic tradition. It is further divided into:

  • Islamic allegory and symbolism
  • Islamic characters
  • Islamic legendary places
  • Islamic narratives

• Jain iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from Jain tradition. It is further divided into:

  • Jain allegory and symbolism
  • Jain characters
  • Jain legendary places
  • Jain narratives

• Japanese iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects from Japanese tradition. It is further divided into:

  • Japanese allegory and symbolism
  • Japanese characters
  • Japanese legendary places
  • Japanese narratives

• Norse iconography: Includes mythology of the North Germanic people from Norse paganism and into the Scandinavian folklore of the modern period. It is further divided into:

  • Norse allegory and symbolism
  • Norse characters
  • Norse legendary places
  • Norse narratives

• North American iconography: Includes from North American culture. It is further divided into subfacets such as:

  • American iconography

  Subfacets are divided as well, for example:

  • American allegory and symbolism
  • American characters
  • American legendary places
  • American narratives

• Old Testament iconography: Includes iconography from the Hebrew Bible and first section of the Christian Bible. It is further divided into:

  • Old Testament allegory and symbolism
  • Old Testament characters
  • Old Testament legendary places
  • Old Testament narratives

• Pacific Islander iconography: Includes iconography of the traditional cultures of the Pacific Islands. It is further divided into subfacets:

  • Pacific Islander allegory and symbolism
  • Pacific Islander characters
  • Pacific Islander legendary places
  • Pacific Islander narratives

• Persian iconography: Includes the iconography of various belief systems of the area of ancient Persia, particularly the iconography of Proto-Indo-Iranian religion and Zoroastrianism, but also including Zurvanism, Mandaeism, and others. It is further divided into:

  • Persian allegory and symbolism
  • Persian characters
  • Persian legendary places
  • Persian narratives

• Prehistoric iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects dating to prehistory. It is further divided into:

  • Prehistoric allegory and symbolism
  • Prehistoric characters
  • Prehistoric legendary places
  • Prehistoric narratives

• Roman iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects of the Ancient Roman world. It is further divided into:

  • Roman allegory and symbolism
  • Roman characters
  • Roman legendary places
  • Roman narratives

• Semitic iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects of the ancient Semitic world, not bound to another division of the IA hierarchy. It is further divided into:

  • Semitic allegory and symbolism
  • Semitic characters
  • Semitic legendary places
  • Semitic narratives

• Shinto iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects of Shinto culture. It is further divided into:

  • Shinto allegory and symbolism
  • Shinto characters
  • Shinto legendary places
  • Shinto narratives

• South American iconography: Includes named iconographic subjects of South American culture. It is further divided into subfacets such as:

  • Brazilian iconography

  Subfacets may be further subdivided, for example:

  • Brazilian allegory and symbolism
  • Brazilian characters
  • Brazilian legendary places
  • Brazilian narratives

• Taoist iconography: Includes the iconography of Taoism. It is further divided into:

  • Taoist allegory and symbolism
  • Taoist characters
  • Taoist legendary places
  • Taoist narratives

Miscellaneous Topics

Topics that do not apply to one area or culture, but can be applied broadly. Subdivisions include the following subfacets:

• Miscellaneous Allegory and Symbolism: This subdivision includes named allegorical and symbolic subjects that do not fit into another facet. For generic terms referring to allegory or symbolism, use the AAT rather than the IA.

• Miscellaneous Characters: This subdivision includes named characters that are subjects but do not fit into another facet. An example is the allegorical portayal using human figures to represent the Four Winds.

• Miscellaneous Legendary Places: This subdivision includes named legendary places that do not fit into History, Religion, and Legend facet or any other facet.

• Miscellaneous Themes and Narratives: This subdivision includes named themes and narratives that do not fit into the Literature facet, the Named Events facet, or the Legend, Religion, Mythology facet.

Literature and Performing Arts

The Literature and Performing Arts facet includes literary and performed works that do not fit more conveniently in Legend, Religion, Mythology facet or as history. As of this writing, the facet is divided into the following divisions:

• Literary characters: Included are named characters from literary, musical, and dramatic works. Examples are Don Quixote (Cervantes, Don Quixote de la Mancha) and Queen of the Night (Mozart, Magic Flute). Through associative relationships, link the character to the literary work in 9.1 Related Iconographic Subject.

For religious and mythological characters, place them in the Religion and Mythology facet. Historical characters should be included in ULAN.

• Literary legendary places: Included are legendary or fictional physical features, administrative geographic places, and legendary or fictional built works. An example is Middlemarch (England), the fictional place in the setting for George Eliot’s 1872 novel Middlemarch. Through associative relationships, link the place to the literary work in Related Iconographic Subject.

For religious and mythological places, place them in the Legend, Religion, Mythology facet. Historical places should be placed in TGN.

• Literary themes and narratives: Included are themes and narratives. An example is the tale of the lovers Angelica and Medoro, from Orlando Furioso by Ariosto. Through associative relationships, link the theme or narrative to the literary work in Related Iconographic Subject.

For religious and mythological narratives, place them in the Legend, Religion, Mythology facet.

• Named written or performed works: Included are named written or performed works. Examples include The Odyssey by Homer; De arithmetica by Boethius; Fedra incoronata, a choreographic work; and The Bible as a literary work. Link authors and other creators of the literary work in ULAN through 9.10 Related Person or Corporate Body.

• Specific Performances [N]: This subdivision is listed here as a non-preferred (i.e., alternate) link, indicated here by “[N].” For a single performance on one date, place the event under the appropriate preferred (default) parent, Named Events — Specific Performances.**

Named Events

In the Named Events facet are included events having a proper name, including historical events, named natural disasters, and exhibitions. For generic terms referring to events, use the AAT rather than the IA. As of this writing, the Named Events facet is divided into the following subfacets"

• African history: Includes named events taking place in Africa. The subfacet is further divided by nation or area.

• Ancient history: Includes named events related to human activity taking place in ancient history, in any location but particularly those that are unrelated to modern political-geographic designations. For localized ancient events, you may instead place them under the appropriate modern political-geographic subfacet elsewhere in the IA hierarchy.

• Asian history: Includes named events taking place in Asia. The subfacet is further divided by nation or area; for example:

  • Chinese history
  • Indian history

• European history: Includes named events taking place in Europe. The subfacet is further divided by nation or area.

• Global historical events: Includes named events related to human activity and taking place over several nations. An example is World War II. For events that took place in one area, but should have a part/whole relationship to a global event, make the preferred parent the specific location and a second parent the global event (e.g., Battle of Maastricht took place in the Netherlands, but is part of World War II). For ancient events taking place over multiple areas, prefer Prehistoric events or Ancient events facets. For named events that primarily affect nature, even if created by humans, place the concept in the Named natural events facet.

• Named natural events: Includes named events that were natural in origin, or that affect nature. An example is the Eruption of Krakatoa (1883, Dutch East Indies). For generic terms referring to events or processes that are natural or that affect nature, such as global warming, use the AAT.

• North and South American history: Includes named events taking place in North, South, or Central America. The subfacet is further divided, for example:

  • United States history
  • Pre-Columbian history

• Prehistoric events: Includes named events related to human activity in the prehistoric era. Events placed here may also be linked to the hierarchical level for the geographic region where they occurred. For example, Settlement of the Americas may be linked to North and South America history, but also linked here as a Prehistoric event. For events occuring prior to human activity, place them under Named natural events facets.

• Named auctions and sales: Includes auctions and sales that have proper names and that were for transfer of ownership of art and other works of cultural heritage.

• Named competitions: Includes competitions that have proper names and that were for the design of art and other works of cultural heritage.

• Named exhibitions: Includes exhibitions that have proper names and where art and other works of cultural heritage were exhibited. The exhibition may be indexed as a generic event exhibition, with location and date applicable to the Work in the Location area of a Work record. The proper name of the exhibition should be linked in the Specific Subject area of the Work record.

For exhibitions that recur, if the location and coverage of the exhibition are the same every year, do not necessarily make a separate entry for every year in which the exhibtion took place (e.g., International Art Exhibition (Venice, Italy)). On the other hand, if the exhibition occurs less frequently and is located in a different place each time, often with a different focus, you may create a separate record for each exhibition (e.g., French Industrial Exposition (Paris, 1844)).

• Specific performances: Subjects include specific performances of a dramatic, musical, or other work of performing arts, which took place on a specific date. For the name of the general work, use Literature and Performing arts — Named written or performed works.

Person or Corporate Body

ULAN contains records for people and corporate bodies depicted in the works, including the proper names of sitters and historical characters. For mythical or legendary characters, the works will be linked to characters in the IA.

Geographic Places

TGN contains for geographic locations depicted in the works, such as the proper names of cities or mountains. For legendary or fictional places, the works will be linked to the IA.

Generic Terms

AAT contains terms used for subjects that are described by generic terms rather than proper names (e.g., knight, moated castle, battlefield, horses).

Works of Art or Architecture

Fictional built works may be included in the IA. For example, the IA could contains records for fictional built works named in a literary work, but which did not exist in the real world. Works in the real world are included in CONA. Additionally, works that are destroyed or that were designed for the real world, but not executed, should be included in CONA — not in the IA.