ART APPRECIATION

GE 06
 COURSE
DESCRIPTION
Art appreciation is a three-unit course that
develops students’ ability to appreciate,
analyze and critique works of art. Through
interdisciplinary and multimodal
approaches, this course equips students
with a broad knowledge of the practical,
historical, philosophical, and social
relevance of the arts in order to hone
students’ ability to articulate their
“If you were an artist, what
kind of artist will you be?”
Richard Gomez Explains
Meaning Behind Viral Yellow
Painting

Netizens branded the artwork as

crude, but were more surprised
with the painting’s almost
P200,000 price tag.
In a text message to GMA News,
he said that the artwork is “self-
explanatory. Given a deeper
thought, it shows lust, self-
pleasure and power.”
UNIT 1
 THE IMPORTANCE OF ART

There is no question of the

assumption that arts have never
been more important to our
society, and that they should be
completely incorporated into our
lives, our community and the
whole of education.
 The word art also rooted in the
13th- century French word art,
which means “skill as a result of
learning or practice,” and the Latin
word ars, meaning
“ability or practical skills”.

In Medieval Latin, ars meant “any

special form of book learning
such as grammar, logic, or
 Because of the prominence of
aesthetics, the study of beauty, in
the 17th century, art began to
unfold from its previous
connotation of craftsmanship
(Caslib, Garing, and Casaul 2018).

In the 18th century, the divide

between fine arts and useful arts
came to be
 Fine arts are those forms that were
commonly be found in galleries and
museums: painting, sculpture, etc. The
primary purpose is to express beauty,
emotion, or conceptual ideas. They are
appreciated for their artistic merit and
impact on the senses.
Crafts are those art forms that had
everyday use: pottery, ceramics,
copperware, wallpapers, jewelry, etc.
 Useful arts, also known as applied
arts or industrial arts, refer to
creative activities that combine
aesthetic design with practical
function. The primary purpose is to
create objects or solutions that are
both functional and visually
appealing. They are appreciated
for their utility and design.
 Examples:

Architecture, industrial design,

graphic design, fashion design,
and crafts such as woodworking or
metalworking.
YOU CAN ALSO DESCRIBE ART IN THREE
DIFFERENT WAYS

ART AS AN ABILITY

Art is the skill of man to make

things Beautiful and stirring; it is
Imagination and creativity.
 ART AS A PROCESS

Art involves activities creating.

Pictures and unforgettable works.
 ART AS A PRODUCT

Art is the completed work or final

output.
DEFINITIONS OF ARTS
BY POPULAR
THINKERS
 PLATO

“Art is that
which brings
life in
harmony
with the
beauty of the
world”
Art helps us notice and appreciate
beautiful things, making our lives
richer and more satisfying. It helps
us feel connected to the world and
find joy and peace in everyday
moments. This can be anything
creative like paintings, music,
dance, literature, or even beautiful
 JOHN DEWEY
“ Art is an attitude of
spirit, a state of
mind- one that
demands its own
satisfaction and
fulfilling, a shaping of
matter to new and
 Art is a way of thinking and
feeling. It’s about expressing
yourself and finding personal
satisfaction. Artists take ordinary
things and transform them into
something meaningful and
beautiful.
 Imagine a sculptor looking at a
block of marble. To most people,
it's just a plain, heavy stone. But
to the sculptor, it’s an opportunity
to create something beautiful and
meaningful.
 OSCAR WILDE

“Art is the most

intense mode
of
individualism that
the world has
known”
 Art is a strong way for people to
show who they really are.

Expression Through Painting:

Imagine an artist who loves vibrant
colors and abstract shapes. They
create a painting full of bright swirls
and unique patterns that no one else
would think of. This painting shows
 Personal Music Composition:

A musician writes a song about their

own experiences and emotions. The
melody, lyrics, and style of the song
reflect their unique perspective and
personality.
 ELBERT HUBBARD

“Art is not a
thing, it is a way”
Art is about how you see and do things,
not just what you make.
Artistic Approach to Cooking: A chef
views cooking as an art. Instead of just
following recipes, they experiment with
flavors, presentation, and creativity.
The way they prepare and present food
is an art, even though the food itself is
not traditionally considered a work of
 NIETZSCHE

“Art is
essentially the
affirmation, the
blessing, and the
deification of
existence.”
Art is about celebrating and making life
special and meaningful.

Blessing: A painter creates a series of

artworks depicting scenes of community
and togetherness. These paintings make
viewers feel grateful for the connections
they have with others, enriching their
sense of belonging and happiness.
FOUR COMMON ESSENTIALS OF
ART
1. Art has to be man-made
2. Art must be creative, not imitative
3. Art must benefit and satisfy a man
4. Art is expressed through a certain
medium
 ART HISTORY
It is a discipline of studying arts through the
lens of history. It involves dealing with
objects and works of art in their historical
development and stylistic contexts. In simple
terms, the job of art historians is to study
visual and tangible objects human s make
and map them in history (Pooke & Newall,
 THE MEANING OF HUMANITIES
The study of art belongs to the discipline of
humanities. Questions puzzling the existence of man
have been asked since time immemorial: What am
I? Why am I what I am? Why am I in this world? And
art, answering these question boils down as records
of man’s quest for answers to the fundamental
questions he asks about himself and about life
 Humanities include literature, music and art.
Through humanities, we learn what it is to be
human. In the 21st century, there is a focus on the
study of science and technology. Arts and
humanities seem to belong to the past. The
modern definition of Humanities aims to shape our
subjective energies (feelings, attitudes,
aspirations) in accordance with a particular view
of the social world in which we dream, we act and
 WHY SHOULD WE
STUDY HUMANITIES?
Studying the humanities helps us see the world in
a broader way, making us more informed about
different cultures and histories. It also helps us
become more understanding and considerate of
others, which makes us more thoughtful and
compassionate people.
 ART APPRECIATION
Art Appreciation is an attitude toward art. It allows
us to understand deeply the purpose of an artwork
and recognize the beauty it possesses (Collins &
Riley, 1931). Art appreciation in the humanities is
being able to look at a work of art and form a wise
opinion of the work. It is also having the knowledge,
background and understanding of the universal and
 Art appreciation, therefore, deals with the
learning or understanding and creating artworks
and enjoying them.

An artist explores an individual’s humanity:

physical, emotional, psychological, sociological
and economic state - and create art out of these
explorations. Thus, art becomes the expression of
the artist’s exploration of one’s humanity.
 CREATIVITY
“Creation“ in art refers to the act of combining or
reordering already existing materials so that a new
object is formed. Thus, creativity in art involves
skill and expertness in handling materials and
organizing them into new, structurally pleasing, and
significant units (Ferrer, et al., 2018).
This is an imaginative characteristic developed in
the course of
His continuing reactions to the changing natural
and social circumstances give birth to new ideas
and new methods. Those, in turn, use to resolve
difficulties which in turn offer a solution to a
dream, create art, or trigger social change, the
process of encounter with reality.
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
 Art is Universal

It is not only for concert halls, museums, or

galleries; not only for those who can afford to pay;
not only for critics and scholars. Art is for
everyone. Art is everywhere, wherever people have
lived together, art has arisen among them as a
language full of emotions and meaning.
Art has no boundaries and rises above traditions,
races and civilizations. The desire to construct
this language seems to be universal, and art as a
cultural force can be widespread and strong. It's
eternal as it goes beyond the span of our own life.
 Art is Not Nature

Art is man-made; it is the development of a man who

uses his analytical ability and artistry to process and
plan. Art is synthetic since it is either an imitation or
even an infringement of truth and nature. It is the
expression of concepts, thoughts and feelings that
are expressed in an intellectual and innovative way.
 Art involves Experience

Art is a reflection of our experience. It is seeking

participation. Every art has something to do with
some physical content, a body or something beyond
the body; hence, the only way to find justification
and affirmation is through immersion in the arts. We
can only appreciate art if we spend time looking at
it, listening to it, touching it, and feeling its
 Three major experience of art (for artist):

a. Experience that an artist wants to communicate

b. Experience in creating the artwork
c. Experience after creating the artwork
 Audience Experience of Art:

a. Sensory Response
b. Emotional Response
c. Intellectual Response
 Art as Expression

Art has grown out of man’s need to express himself.

The personal and social values of the artist and his
penetrating psychological insights into human
reality are also conveyed through art.
 It uses symbols which organize into some
comprehensible equivalent of the experience that
an artist is trying to convey. Art is an expression
of
a general vision of the age in which it was created.
An artist becomes a kind of historian, recording in
his/her work the attitudes and way of life of his
period.
 Art as a form of Creation

As a creativity activity, art involves skill or

expertness handling materials and organizing them
into new, structurally pleasing and significant units.
It is a planned activity that may be produced and
executed by an individual or a team.
FUNCTIONS OF ART
 Functional VS Non-Functional
Functional Art Non-Functional Art

Directly Useful Indirectly Useful

Architecture, weaving, furniture- Painting, Sculpture, literature,

making, industrial design, etc. music, theater, etc.
How does art serve
us?
 Personal

Art educates our senses and sharpens our

perception of color, forms, textures, designs,
sounds, sounds, rhythms, and harmonies in our
environment. It offers us fresh insights into nature
and human nature so that we gain a better
understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
 Social
Art seeks to influence the collective behavior
of people. It is created to be seen or used primarily
in public situations and expresses or describes
social or collective aspects of existence or opposed
to individual and personal kinds of
experiences. Paintings, photographs, and cartoons
have been used to express humanitarian concerns as
well as ideological and political comment.
 In spreading doctrine or teaching ideas, the
arts have been used in place or as a complement
of the written word. Traditional arts play
significant functions in the rituals of
communities.
Commercial and advertising art aims to affect the
buying behavior of people. Art is used to
commemorating important personages in society.
It is also linked to rituals, public celebrations such
as festivals. Artworks are vital historical
documents. They describe aspects of existence at
certain periods in certain places of certain
communities.
 Physical
Tools and containers are objects which function to
make our lives physically comfortable. Designing
functional objects involves the consideration of how
it will be used and its aesthetic look. Physical
function encompasses the aesthetic function
through which art becomes influential for man to be
aware of the beauty of nature.
 BASIC
PHILOSOPHICAL
PERSPECTIVES OF ART
 1. Art as Mimesis (Plato)

all artistic creation is a form of imitation: that which

really exists (in the “world of ideas”) is a type
created by God; the concrete things man perceives
in his existence are shadowy representations of this
ideal type.
 ART imitates or represents reality. In
simple terms, it's the idea that art copies
the real world, like how a painting might
depict a landscape or a story might reflect
real-life experiences.
 2. Art as Representation
(Aristotle)
He recognized that literature is a representation of
life, yet also believed that representations intervene
between the viewer and the real. This creates
worlds of illusion leading one away from the "real
things".
ART shows or symbolizes something from
the real world. For example, a painting of
a tree represents a real tree, or a statue
might represent a person or idea. It's
about how art can stand in for or depict
things we recognize.
 3. Art for Art’s Sake (Kant)

that art needs no justification, that it need serve no

political, didactic, or other ends. Art has its own
reason of being.
 CREATING ART simply for the enjoyment
or beauty of it, without worrying about
whether it has a deeper meaning or
practical use. It's the idea that art doesn't
need to serve a purpose other than to be
appreciated as art.
 4. Art as an Escape

the ritual of producing or making art touches the

deepest reaches of the mind and the essential
dimension of the artistic creative process. The
sacred level of art not only transforms everything
into art but also transforms the artist at the very
center of his or her being.
 ART allows people to temporarily forget
about their problems or the stresses of
everyday life. Through music, books,
movies, or paintings, art provides a way
to relax, imagine different worlds, or
experience new emotions, giving people a
break from reality.
THANK YOU
 ACTIVITY
Direction:
Art serves you in personal aspect. Draw
symbols/figures that can best describe yourself. You
can use any drawing and coloring tools to make your
output more creative.
Write a concise explanation of the symbols or
figures you drawn. Your output will graded using the
holistic rubric.
 ACTIVITY

CLEANLINESS/NEATNESS 10%
ORIGINALITY 20%
CONTENT 30%
CREATIVITY 40%

Total 100%
UNIT 2
Subject and Content
of Art
 The term subject in art refers to the main idea
that is represented in the artwork. The subject in
art is basically the essence of the piece. To
determine subject matter in a particular piece of
art, ask yourself: What is actually depicted in this
artwork? What is the artist trying to express to
the world... what is his or her message? And how
are they conveying that message?
Two Kinds of Arts as
to Subject
 Representational/ Non-
Objective Art Representational/
Non-Objective Art
-Depicts objects that are commonly -Without any reference or recognizable
recognized by most people objects

-Attempt to copy what is real or -Abstract; does not represent real

portray the subject as it is. objects

-Uses “form” and are concerned -Uses “content” and is concerned

with with
“what” is to be depicted “how” the artwork is depicted
 The Artist and His Choice of
Subject
1. Everything under the sun is raw material for
the artist to draw his subject.
2. The artist’s choice of subject is usually
affected by his medium.
3. The piece of art depends largely upon the
time in which he lived.
 Sources of Subject of Art

Nature

Most common inspiration

and subject. E.g. animals,
people, activities,
landscape…
 Sources of Subject of Art

History

Historical people,
events, periods.
 Sources of Subject of Art

Greek and Roman

Mythology

Myths or Definite parts of

inheritance.
 Sources of Subject of Art

Religion

anything that
represents spiritual
beliefs and doctrines.
 Sources of Subject of Art
Sacred Oriental
Text

Sacred texts of
Hinduism,
Buddhism, Taoism,
Confucianism,
Fernando Amorsolo’s
Painting of Flame Tree
at Sunset in Manila Bay
(Leaon Exchange www.google.com)
Spoliarium,
famous historical
painting of Juan
Luna
 Subject of Art may be:
1. Landscape, seascapes, cityscapes
2. Still life – inanimate objects arranged in indoor
setting.
3. Animals
4. Portraits – the realistic likeness of a person.
(Attire, accessories are very much expressive
because
they reveal so much of the person and his time.)
5. Figures – nude/ clothed
(Greeks – physical beauty was the symbol of
moral
and spiritual perfection.)

6. Everyday Life – life around the artist, or the

actual setting.
(E.g. children playing, life at the park)
7. History and Legends
( History – consist of verifiable facts)
(Legends – unverifiable but they have been
accepted as true)

8. Religion and Mythology – use to preach and teach

(Art – handmaid of religion)

9. Dreams and Fantasy – mostly used by surrealist

Ways of Presenting
the Subject
 1. Realism

This often refers to the artistic movement that

began in France in the 1850s. Realism's
popularity increased with the advent of the
photography-a new visual medium that
generated people's desire to develop
"objectively real" things.
Painting by zeuxis,
painter of the 5th
century

(The Collector,www.google.com)
This describes what the eyes can see, what the ear
can hear and what faculty of sense can receive. The
painting by Zeuxis, painter of the 5th century, was
an example. Grapes was his subject. They appeared
so perfect, luscious and appealing when he
displayed his painting of grapes that the birds flew
down from the sky to peck at them.
 Realist painters aim to create lifelike images that
reflect the real world, paying close attention to
detail, light, and texture.

Example: A realist painter might create a painting of

a farmer working in a field, showing the roughness
of the land, the wear on the farmer's clothes, and
the natural light of the scene. The goal is to portray
 2. Abstraction

Its etymology derives from the Latin

"abstractus" put forward, "or from the
Latin past participle" abstrahere: "from
ab(s)-" down "+ trahere" take, "meaning"
removed or isolated from material objects
or practical matters.
 Through abstract art, the artist presents the
subject in no way as an objective fact, but just his
idea or his feeling (exaggerated emotionalism)
about it. It's all about what the artists are thinking
and what mood they may want to reflect. All types
of visual art, no real-life pictures, scenery or
objects.
Birds in Space by
Constantin

(The Collector,www.google.com)
 An example is the painting of a "Bird in Space" by
Constantin Brancusi In Space. “
He 'd been so impressed with the goodness of a Bird
in flight, its body sweeping as it soared Over the
sea. His sculptural work doesn't seem like it A bird is
intended to convey an image of a Grace and pace to
the cat.
Abstraction in painting is an art style that doesn't
try to represent the real world directly. Instead of
depicting realistic images, abstract artists use
shapes, colors, lines, and forms to express ideas,
emotions, or concepts. The focus is on the visual
elements themselves, rather than on creating a
lifelike representation of objects or scenes.
 3. Symbolism
A symbol is a clear indication that anything like
an idea or a standard is invisible. Symbolism
uses symbols to systematically focus or amplify
meaning, rendering the artwork more subjective
(rather than objective) and traditional. For
instance, a flag is a country symbol and it
represents the essence of nationalism; a lion
representing bravery, and a lamb representing
Gustave Moreau: Jupiter
and Semele (1895)
 The painting is based on the myth of Jupiter and
Semele. Semele, a mortal woman, became the lover
of Jupiter, the king of the gods. Juno (Hera), Jupiter's
jealous wife, disguised herself and convinced
Semele to ask Jupiter to reveal himself in all his
divine glory. Bound by his promise, Jupiter did so,
and the sight of his divine form was so
overwhelming that Semele was consumed by his
radiance and perished.
 Symbolism in painting is an art movement where
artists use symbols to represent ideas, emotions, or
concepts that go beyond the literal appearance of
the subject. Instead of focusing on realism,
Symbolist painters use imagery to convey deeper
meanings. The goal is to communicate deeper
messages through the use of symbolic images.

Example: In a Symbolist painting, a white lily might

 4. Fauvism
It is derived from the French "les fauves," which
means "the wild beasts." It is the last part of the
19th- century artistic movement that stressed
spontaneity and the use of excessively bright
colors. For example, to a fauvist a tree trunk
doesn't need to be gray. It may be bright red,
purple or any other color.
Champs de Ble and
Restaurant at Bougival
(1905-6)
 Maurice de Vlaminck's "Champs de Blé and
Restaurant at Bougival" can be seen as a celebration
of the natural landscape and the simple pleasures of
rural life. Through the use of bold colors and dynamic
brushstrokes, Vlaminck captures the vibrancy and
energy of the countryside, while also highlighting the
harmony between nature and human presence. The
painting reflects the Fauvist emphasis on emotional
expression through color and form, creating a scene
Fauvism is an early 20th-century art movement
characterized by the use of bold, vibrant colors
and simplified forms. Fauvist painters focused
on strong, expressive colors rather than
realistic representation, often applying paint in
thick, visible brushstrokes.
 5. Dadaism
The word "dada" is a French word which means
“hobby- horse”. A hobby-horse is the children's
pet toy made of a wooden horse mounted on a
stick. We may claim it with this etymology
dadaism is a "nonsensical" art movement. Some
would say it is not art since it appears to have
absolutely no sense.
Marcel Duchamp,
Fountain, 1917.
 Marcel Duchamp's "Fountain" is a radical and
influential artwork that challenges conventional ideas
about art and its creation. By presenting a mundane
urinal as a work of art, Duchamp questioned the
traditional role of the artist, the definition of art, and
the power structures within the art world. "Fountain"
exemplifies the Dadaist embrace of absurdity and
anti-establishment sentiment, making it a seminal
piece in the history of modern art.
 Dadaism (or Dada) is an avant-garde art
movement that emerged in the early 20th
century, around 1916, as a reaction to the
horrors of World War I. Dada artists rejected
traditional art and logic, instead embracing
chaos, absurdity, and irrationality. They sought
to challenge conventional ideas about art and
society, often using humor, satire, and
nonsensical elements in their works.
 6. Futurism
Futurism was described as a modernist
movement embracing the future age of
technology. The automobile, the aircraft, the
industrial town reflected the development of
urban life and the technological success of
A Man beyond Nature.
Dynamism of a
Cyclist” by
Umberto
Boccioni. 1913
 "Dynamism of a Cyclist" by Umberto Boccioni is a
powerful expression of the Futurist fascination with
speed, technology, and the modern industrial world.
Through its fragmented forms, dynamic lines, and
vibrant colors, the painting captures the essence of
motion and the exhilarating energy of contemporary
life. Boccioni's work challenges traditional artistic
conventions and offers a bold vision of the future,
celebrating the relentless forward momentum of
 Futurism is an early 20th-century art and social
movement that originated in Italy around 1909. It
celebrated modern technology, speed, and
innovation, emphasizing dynamic movement, energy,
and the power of machines. Futurist artists sought to
break away from the past and traditional forms of art,
instead glorifying the industrial age and the future.
 7. Surrealism
It is an offshoot or a dada boy. Sometimes known
as "super" realism, "which revolves around the
process of making things look ordinary
exceptional. It focuses on actual objects found in
imagination or fantasy, or it has realistic
subjects found in the subconsciousness;
illustrating the inner mind's dreamlike images.
Salvador Dalí: The
Persistence of
Memory
 "The Persistence of Memory" is a profound
exploration of time, reality, and the subconscious
mind. Salvador Dalí uses surreal imagery to challenge
conventional perceptions and evoke a sense of
mystery and wonder. The melting clocks, desolate
landscape, and strange biomorphic forms create a
dreamlike tableau that invites viewers to contemplate
the fluid and ephemeral nature of time and existence.
Surrealism is an art and literary movement
that began in the 1920s, focused on
exploring the unconscious mind, dreams,
and the irrational. Surrealist artists sought
to unlock the power of the imagination by
creating unexpected, dreamlike, and often
bizarre images that challenge reality.
 8. Impressionism
It's also often called optical realism because of
its interest in the actual visual experience,
including things such as the influence of color,
light and motion on the nature of the objects
portrayed in the works of art. Impressionism
centered on explaining the visual stimuli
originating from nature, directly.
Claude Monet,
(Impression,
Sunrise), 1872
"Impression, Sunrise" is a seminal work that captures
the essence of the Impressionist movement. Through
its innovative use of light, color, and brushwork,
Monet creates a vivid and atmospheric scene that
conveys the fleeting beauty of a sunrise over a busy
harbor. The painting's emphasis on capturing a
moment in time and its departure from detailed
realism mark a significant shift in the history of art,
paving the way for future developments in modern
 Impressionism is an art movement that began
in France in the late 19th century, characterized
by a focus on capturing the fleeting effects of
light, color, and atmosphere in the moment.
Instead of aiming for detailed realism,
Impressionist artists used loose brushwork and
vibrant colors to convey their immediate
impressions of a scene, often painting outdoors
to capture natural light.
THE CONTENT OF
ART
• It is the meaning, message and/or feeling
imparted by a work of art.
•It is the mass of ideas associated with each
artwork and communicated through the following:
a. The Arts’ imagery
b. The symbolic meaning
c. Its surroundings where it is used or displayed
d. The customs, beliefs and values of the culture
that uses it
 Three levels of
meaning according
to Cleaver (1966):
 1. A Factual Meaning

literal statement or the narrative content in the

work which can be directly understood because
the objects presented are easily recognized.
Claude Monet,
(Impression,
Sunrise), 1872
 In Monet's "Impression, Sunrise," the factual
meaning would involve noting these observable
elements without interpreting their symbolic
significance or the emotions they might evoke. A
viewer can look at the painting and recognize these
objects and settings based on their direct visual
characteristics.
By focusing on the factual meaning, one gains a
clear and direct understanding of the subject matter
Example: In a painting of a bowl of fruit, the
factual meaning is simply that it's a
depiction of a bowl filled with fruits like
apples and bananas. You don’t need to
interpret symbols or look for hidden
meanings; you can directly see and
understand what’s being shown.
 2. Conventional Meaning

special meaning that a certain object or color has

for a particular culture or a group of people.
Salvador Dalí: The
Persistence of
Memory
 In Dalí's "The Persistence of Memory," the
conventional meaning involves understanding how
the depicted objects relate to broader cultural
symbols and themes.
Melting Clocks: In many cultures, a clock symbolizes
the passage of time. Here, the melting form could
be interpreted as a commentary on the unreliability
or subjectivity of time, a concept that resonates
with 20th-century scientific and philosophical ideas
 Ants: Culturally, ants often signify industriousness
but also decay when found on objects. The inclusion
of ants here might signify the deterioration of the
conventional concept of time.

Desolate Landscape: The landscape might

conventionally signify isolation, a timeless void, or a
dream state, aligning with the surrealist
movement's exploration of the unconscious.
 Conventional Meaning:

The clocks, by melting, might symbolize the

perception of time as fluid and malleable,
challenging traditional Western views of time as
fixed and linear. Ants on one clock signify decay,
relating to the passage of time and the eventual
decay of all things. The dreamlike, empty landscape
evokes the isolation of the subconscious mind, a
 Conventional meaning-the special significance
that an object or color holds for a specific culture
or group.

Example: In many Western cultures, the color

white is conventionally associated with weddings
and purity. So, a bride wearing a white dress has
a conventional meaning that signifies her role in
the wedding ceremony and reflects cultural
 3. Subjective Meaning

any personal meaning consciously or

unconsciously conveyed by the artist using
private symbolism which stems from his own
associations of certain objects, actions, or colors
from past experiences.
Vincent van
Gogh's "Starry
Night" (1889)
 Subjective Description:

Swirling Sky: The dynamic, swirling patterns in the

night sky can be seen as an expression of van
Gogh's emotional turmoil and mental state. The
intense movement and vibrant colors reflect his
inner experience and possibly his struggles with
mental health.
 Cypress Tree: The dark cypress tree in the
foreground reaches up towards the sky, possibly
symbolizing a connection between earth and
heaven. For van Gogh, cypress trees were often
associated with death and eternity, reflecting his
personal thoughts on mortality.
Colors and Light: The contrasting blues and yellows
create a vivid, dreamlike quality. Van Gogh’s use of
color was highly personal, often conveying his
 Subjective meaning refers to the personal
significance an artist gives to certain elements in
their work, based on their own experiences and
associations.
Example: If an artist uses the color blue to represent
feelings of sadness in their painting, this subjective
meaning comes from their personal experience and
emotions. To the artist, blue might symbolize
melancholy due to past events or personal
Van Gogh struggled with mental illness throughout
his life. He experienced episodes of psychosis and
depression. He spent time in psychiatric hospitals
and continued to paint, creating over 2,000
artworks in just a decade. His work was not widely
recognized during his lifetime, and he sold only a
few paintings. He died on July 29, 1890, from a
gunshot wound, believed to be self-inflicted. His
work gained significant acclaim after his death, and
 ACTIVITY

Direction: Examine carefully each

famous Philippine artwork. Explain
the possible meaning/s according to
your own interpretation.
1. Crisis in Humanity, Benedicto Cabrera,2017
2. Spoliarium, famous
historical painting of Juan
Luna
3. HR Ocampo oil in canvass
painting, 1976