Contents

Chapters in this book

1. Frontmatter i
2. Contents vii
3. Preface on Abbreviations and Conventions ix
4. Prologue: The Promise of a Meaningful Image 1
5. 1 Representation, Resemblance, and Religion 27
6. 2 The Icon and the Idol 43
7. 3 Iconoclasm, Iconophobia, and Islam 84
8. 4 Idols, Icons, and Images in Islam 100
9. 5 Beauty, Goodness, and Wonder 139
10. 6 Alchemy, Appearance, and Essence 175
11. 7 Dreams, Visions, and the Imagination 198
12. 8 Sufism and the Metaphysics of Resemblance 216
13. 9 Words, Pictures, and Signs 236
14. 10 Legibility, Iconicity, and Monumental Writing 264
15. Epilogue 284
16. Notes 291
17. Bibliography 349
18. Acknowledgments 393
19. Index 395