The Symbolic Bird in Medieval and Renaissance Art*

Artists have long commented on the similarity between works of art and dreams. But not until the exploration of the unconscious with the aid of psychoanalysis was the reason for this similarity uncovered and understood. We now know that both these mental constructions consist of combinations of symbols the purpose of which is to express unconscious ideas. And with both works of art and dreams the latent meaning cannot be understood until the symbols have been translated back into their unconscious counterparts.

But, there are differences, as well, between works of art and dreams. Whereas in dreams there is usually a marked lack of coherence in the continuity, action and arrangement of the symbols, in recognized works of art, whether painting, sculpture or literature, action and symbols are knitted together with aesthetic exactitude resulting in an exquisite composition of an apparently impersonal nature and characterized by harmonious, appealing design. Another difference between works of art and dreams comes from the nature of symbols of which they consist. In a dream, many symbols may be highly personal and private—therefore, not readily understood by an observer. The fact that they are personal and intimate may, at times, even cause them to repel the dreamer or a confidant