ART APPRECIATION - UNIT II

Subject

in arts;

refers to the main idea represented in an artwork

the essence of the piece

Representational Art

Art that represents something identifiable from real life

may include varying levels of abstraction

also referred to as Figurative arts

figurative art

other term for representational art

Non-representational Art

Compositions that do not rely on representation or mimesis, departing from reality in the depiction of imagery.

also called non-objective art

subjects of art

• nature

• people

• history

• legends

• religion

• mythology

• dreams and fantasy

• technology

Nature

The natural world, physical universe, or material universe, commonly used as a source of inspiration in art.

nature

refers to the phenomena of the physical world, and also to life in general

People

Considered an interesting subject in artwork, may be real or imagined, reflecting the artist's thoughts, moods, and genre.

History

Depiction of factual events from the past in art, aiming to remember important events or teach lessons.

Legends

Artworks based on legends, presenting tangible elements even if unverified, bringing life to stories.

Religion

Inspiring works of visual arts, music, architecture, and literature through religious texts like the Bible, Quran, and Torah.

Mythology

Sources of subjects derived from the stories of gods and goddesses of Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse, and Egyptians, depicting humanlike behaviors.

Dreams and Fantasy

Artworks expressing the wonder of the unconscious, providing viewers with insights into the hidden meanings behind each work.

Technology

Inspiration drawn from modernity, including machines, skyscrapers, robotics, and transportation, as sources of artistic subjects.

Naturalism

Artistic depiction of realistic objects in a natural setting, paying attention to accurate details and portraying things as they are.

Realism

Representation of subject matter truthfully, without artificiality, emphasizing the mundane, ugly, or sordid aspects

realism

most popular way of presenting art subjects

Abstraction

Method of presenting the subject where the artist moves away from reality, altering shapes and colors to create art that goes beyond physical representation

abstraction

capability of the artist to use their imagination to look beyond what we can physically see and translate into intangible emotions onto the canvas

ability of the audience to try to connect to the artist’s intention

distortion

alteration of the original shape of something

any change made by an artist to the size, shape, or visual character of a form to express an idea

elongation

when the art subject is lengthened, protracted, or extended

mangling

artist shows the subject as cut, lacerated, mutilated, or hacked with repeated blows

cubism

presentation of abstract figures through the use of a cone, cylinder, sphere, triangle, square, cube, and circle in place of real pictorial elements

Symbolism

Use of visible signs to convey ideas and messages in art, adding mystery and depth to the artwork for viewers.

Fauvism

Art movement characterized by strong colors, fierce brushwork, and simplified forms, creating abstract and vibrant artworks.

Dadaism

A protest movement in art that is playful, experimental, and often nonsensical, aiming to shock and provoke viewers. Marcel Duchamp is a famous painter associated with this method, which is a revolt against traditional art principles.

Futurism

An art movement developed in Italy around the same time as Cubism in France

aiming to capture the mechanical energy of modern life

Surrealism

An art movement that mirrors the evils of society, emphasizing the subconscious mind's activities influenced by Freudian psychology. It began in Paris in 1924 by the French poet Andre Breton, showcasing violence and cruelty to reveal the deep and ugly part of human nature.

Expressionism

An art movement featuring works describing pathos, morbidity, chaos, or defeat, introduced in Germany from 1900-1910. Expressionists believe in the need for spiritual rebirth to