Module 3: Subject and Contents of Art
Module 3: Subject and Contents of Art
Module 3: Subject and Contents of Art
In viewing art, there are clues that mediate between the artwork and the viewer, allowing the viewer to more
easily comprehend what he is seeing.
These clues are the three basic components of an artwork:
Subject – the visual focus of the image that may be extracted from examining the artwork; the “what”
Content – the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the artwork; the “why”
Form – the development and the configuration of the artwork – how the elements or the medium or
material are put together; the “how”
Types of Subject
Representational Art
These types of art have subjects that refer to objects or events occurring in the real world.
Also termed figurative art because the figures depicted are easy to make out and decipher.
Ex: Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci, 1503)
Despite not knowing who Mona Lisa is, it is clear that the painting is of a woman that is
realistically-proportioned;
Only the upper torso is shown
A beguiling and mysterious smile is flashed;
The background is a landscape
Non-representational Art
Art forms that do not make a reference to the real world, whether it is a person,
place, thing, or even a particular event.
It is stripped down to visual elements, such as shapes, lines and colors
that are employed to translate a particular feeling, emotion, and even
concept.
SOURCES OF SUBJECT
Nature
History
Greek and Roman Mythology
Judeo-Christian Tradition
Sacred Oriental Texts
Other works of art
If you really ask in a plain way what can be sources of art subjects, EVERYTHING IN FRONT OF YOU, would be the answer.
Everything that made you INSPIRED with.
Physical Environment
Artists have always been fascinated with the beauty of their physical environment. They would observe nature
on its beautiful and restful mood, and apply pigments on canvass on varying textures and colors.
Greek and Roman Mythology
The Greek and Roman Mythology are also rich source of art subject. Stories from Greek and Roman Mythology
centers on the gods, goddesses and heroes.
Religion
Religion has played an enormous role in inspiring roles of visual arts, music, architecture and literature through
ages. During the prehistoric era, the medieval and the present time, there was no difference between religion
and art
Nature
Animals, people, landscapes
The most common inspiration and subject matter of art
Could be the subject and content of both literary and visual arts
KINDS OF SUBJECT
History
Still Life
Animals
Figures
Nature
Landscape
Seascape
Mythology
Myths
Dreams
Fantasies
5 MAIN SUBJECTS THAT ARTISTS HAVE EXPLORING IN ART FOR CENTURIES
Still Life – A collection of inanimate objects arranged together in a specific way.
Landscape – natural scenery such as mountains, cliffs, rivers, etc.
Portraiture – an image of a particular person or animal, or group thereof
Abstract – a non-representational work of art
Nature – a focused view or interpretation of specific natural elements
- REALISM
It concerns with the depiction of subjects as they appear in everyday life
It is the attempt to portray the subject as is. The artist selects, changes, and arranges details to express the idea
he wants to make clear.
The artist’s main function is to describe accurately what is observed through the senses.
- ABSTRACTION
It refers to art unconcerned with the literal depiction of things from
the visible world
It means to move away from showing things as they really are. The
artwork is not realistic.
a. Distortion
It is the alteration of the original shape of an object, image or other form of representation.
The subject is in misshaped condition
b. Elongation
The subject or painting is being lengthened or extended
The subject is lengthened for protraction or extension
c. Mangling
It shows subjects or objects which are cut, mutilated, lacerated, or hacked.
d. Cubism
Objects are broken up, analyzed, and re-assembled in an abstracted form
Subjects are shown in the basic geometrical shapes
Uses cone, cylinder, sphere or other pictorial elements
e. Abstract Expressionism
Uses large canvasses
Lack of refinement in the application of paint, strong color uneven brush and rough texture
- EXPRESSIONISM
It presents the world solely from a subjective perspective, distorting it radically for emotional effect in order
to evoke mood or ideas.
- FUTURISM
It emphasizes and glorifies themes associated with contemporary concepts of the future, including speed
and technology
Its works aims to capture the speed and force of modern industrial society and to glorify the mechanical
energy of modern life.
- SURREALISM
It tries to reveal a new and higher reality than that of daily life. They claim to create a magical world more
beautiful than the real one through art. It came from the slang of supper realism.
It uses arts as weapon against the evils and restrictions that surrealists see in the society.
It is a combination of distortion and realism.
- FAUVISM
Themes are either ethical, philosophical, or psychological
It uses extremely bright color
Most of the fauves tried to paint pictures of COMFORT, JOY, AND PLEASURE
- DADAISM
A protest movement formed in 1916 by a group of artists in Zurich, Switzerland. They try to provoke the
public with outrageous forms of arts. Came from the French word “dada” meaning “hobby horse”. Dadaist
reacted to what they believe were outworn traditions in art and the evils they saw in the society; shows
outrageous pieces of writing poetry and art exhibitions.
- SYMBOLISM
trying to symbolize something
Trying to represent something from the real world but not its literal depiction
CONTENT IN ART
The meaning and message that is expressed or communicated by the artwork
In understanding the content of art, it is important to note that there are various levels of meaning:
1. Factual Meaning – the most rudimentary level of meaning for it may be extracted from the identifiable
or recognizable forms in the artwork and understanding how these elements relate to one another.
2. Conventional Meaning – pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the artwork using motifs, signs,
and symbols, and other cyphers as bases of its meaning. These conventions are established through
time, strengthened by recurrent use and wide acceptance by its viewers or audience and scholars who
study them.
3. Subjective Meaning – when subjectivities are consulted, a variety of meanings may arise when a
particular work of art is read.
- These meanings stem from the viewer’s or audience’s circumstances that come into play when
engaging with art (what we know, what we learned, what we experienced; what values we
stand for)
- Meaning may not be singular, rather, multiple and varied
4. Analysis
- Subject: biblical art
- Factual Meaning: creation story (creation of man)
- Conventional Meaning: mas was created in the image and likeness of God
- Subjective Meaning: endowment of intellect to man from God.
Synthesis/Generalizations:
1. Subject of art is what an artist chooses to present in his/her art; it is the expression of artist’s view of his/her
existence in his her art. It is the theme or topic of the artist in his/her art
2. The content of art refers to the meaning contained in it. It comes in three levels of meaning, factual,
conventional and subjective.