Scribd
Upload
69 views2 pages

Lesson 4 Subject and Content

The document discusses the difference between the subject and content of a work of art. The subject refers to the main object or focus of the artwork, such as a dog in a photograph. The content refers to the overall meaning or message conveyed by the artwork, which can include elements like the movement of the dog's hair or the light. While the subject is the most recognizable part, the content expresses the artist's intention through techniques, colors, and other aspects used. Common subjects in art include nature, animals, portraits, history/legends, still life, religion, and dreams/fantasies.

Uploaded by

Mary Rose Jorza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
69 views2 pages

Lesson 4 Subject and Content

The document discusses the difference between the subject and content of a work of art. The subject refers to the main object or focus of the artwork, such as a dog in a photograph. The content refers to the overall meaning or message conveyed by the artwork, which can include elements like the movement of the dog's hair or the light. While the subject is the most recognizable part, the content expresses the artist's intention through techniques, colors, and other aspects used. Common subjects in art include nature, animals, portraits, history/legends, still life, religion, and dreams/fantasies.

Uploaded by

Mary Rose Jorza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 2

GEC 106- ART APPRECIATION 2022

Lesson 4
SUBJECT AND CONTENT
Explain
When talking about art, every piece is composed of 3 parts: subject, form, and content.
Nevertheless, people tend to fail to find what the difference between subject and content is. The
subject is the main focus object in the work of art, whereas the content is the overall meaning of the
piece.

Definition of Subject
In art, the definition of the subject is referring to the main character, object, or anything else that is
presented as the main focus in the work of art. The subject can appear in the center of the piece, or
in any other part of it, but it is always the most recognizable thing in the entire work of art,
regardless of its size. This center of attention will be recognized whether it is a commonly known
thing, or because it can be seen in context alongside
the rest of the work of art. An artwork

For example, in a photograph of a dog running on the


beach, the dog would be the subject, because it is the
most recognizable component in the picture.

In conclusion, the subject is the most recognizable part


of the work of art.

https://www.123rf.com/photo_3186174_dog-running-on-beach.html

An artwork that has a subject is classified as a representational art. It is also known us


objective art because you can easily objectify the subject. On the other hand, it is also
known as non-objective art because it doesn't represent anything. Paintings, sculptures,
photography, graphic arts, dance, theater, literature are generally classified as
representational arts. Though, sometimes paintings and sculptures do not have subjects,
more so with dance, theater and literature, which do not depict clear subjects/
representations but have themes, would help the audience clarify their meanings and
intentions. Most artworks have subjects except for the architecture and music which rarely
have. Unless an architect will build literally a building that looks like a "durian fruit," then we
can say that an architectural design has a subject. Basically, music has no subject but the
lyrics parallel to the music is the one that makes the work easily understood. When a
classical or instrumental music is used in a certain film or theater production, we now
associate this music not on the merits of the composition but with the theme of the film or
art production.

Definition of Content
On the other hand, artworks have content which refers to the meaning of the artwork. The
other term for content is the theme which bears the essence or substance of a thing or an
object.

In other words, the definition of content is referred to as the general meaning or intention
of the piece. It is the way to manifest the message that the artist wants to say with his work.

Art Appreciation 10
GEC 106- ART APPRECIATION 2022
Content is the message given by the piece of art. It involves the subject, the techniques used
to make the piece, the colors used, and anything that was used by the artist to make a
statement and give a message. So, in the same example mentioned before (a photograph of
a dog running on the beach), the content could be the dog’s hair moving in the air, its
tongue coming out, the white sand, a warm light from the sun, etc.. It allows to give the
message that the dog feels free and happy running outside. Content is the overall meaning
or message of the work of art.

Kinds and Sources of Subject

The kinds of subject enumerated below are explored and prevalent in any form of art
expression, either in visual, auditory, or combined arts.

1. Nature- the subject deals with the physical environment-the natural world.
Landscapes are parts of nature. They include mountains, hills, plateaus, islands, etc.
It can be natural landscape. Seascapes include lakes, rivers, oceans, brook and other
watercourses.
2. Animals- During the Medieval period when early Christians used animal symbol such
peacock and fish to identify themselves as Christian believers.
3. Portrait or human figures- in using this kind of subject, the angle, the distance, and
the subject or model’s composure are considered. Portraits and human figures have
the same intentions-to capture human expressions. The human body is known as
“the measure of all things”. It reflects proportion, balance coordination, order and
unity.
4. History and legends-This is a kind of subject that is inspired by history or legends.
Historical events are real stories while legends are imaginary accounts. Whether
history or legends, these stories are used in any art form to share and transmit the
values that are attached with them.
5. Still life-refers to in-animating objects either in a form of a drawing, painting or
photograph.
6. Religion and mythology- this art as a kind of subject is usually done by an insider
artist or a devoted member of a religious groups.
7. Dream and fantasies- to dream and to imagine are for free. These subjects refer to
subjects that are inspired by the subconscious mind as discovered by Freud.
Artworks that are inspired by dreams and fantasies are called surrealism. Art and
fantasies can be presented in any style or form. Some subjects are presented in
realistic manner, however the imagery is distorted, and the setting becomes a dream
world. Art had been an effective tool to assist the human being to explore
imagination. It even assists us to escape from reality.

Art Appreciation 11

You might also like