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The Dove Throughout the history of artistic expression, artists have often used specific objects as a way of expressing a feeling, or aiding to portray a theme in a work of art. These objects serve not as a focal point of a piece of art, but as a subtle accent to the emotions being conveyed. In the world of art appreciation, these objects are better know as "icons." Icons can best be defined as an object that has some sort of symbolic significance (Symbols 1). Many works of art have a religious theme. Within these works there are quite a few icons that appear in multiple pieces of work. These icons help explain the often complicated stories that can arise from religious works. An icon can help a person who has little knowledge of religion understand an artistic work, by giving them a gateway into the theory that has driven the artist to complete the piece. Although the viewer may not completely understand