Art Appreciation Exam 1

MC with Pam Kinsey

Work of Art

the visual expression of an idea or experience, formed with skill, through the use of a medium; what an artist makes or puts in front of us for viewing

Medium

a particular material, along with its accompanying technique

Mixed Media

a variety of media used in an entertainment or work of art

Photomontage

a montage constructed from multiple photo images

Folk art

art of people who have had no formal, academic training, but whose works are part of an established tradition of style and craftsmanship; artists create art in the style of a culture, items are often functional and made in a traditional way (ex: quilts, pottery, rugs)

Outsider artists

freely create outside the rules of art gained through art training or even any knowledge of the art world; produced by those with no formal training, outside the established channels of art exhibition; largely unaware of art history or art trends of their time

Representational

depicts the appearance of things/objects we recognize from the natural, everyday world; art that recognizably depicts a particular subject

Abstract

to extract the essence of an object or idea; no reference at all to natural objects or works that depict natural objects in simplified, distorted, or exaggerated ways

Nonrepresentational

art without reference to anything outside itself; no subject and the value of the piece is based on its use of design elements like color, line, shape, etc

Figurative art

representational art in which the human form (rather than the natural world) plays a principle role

Subjects

in representational art, what the artist chooses to represent

Trompe I’oeil

French for “deceive the eye”; goal is to blur the line between representation and reality

Form and Content

form refers to the total effect of the combined visual qualities within a work, while content refers to the message or meaning of the work of art

Iconography

refers to the subjects, symbols, and motifs used in an image to convey its meaning

Aesthetics

a set of principles concerned with the nature and appreciation of beauty

Classical

an aesthetic and artistic style that draws inspiration from the art, architecture, literature, and philosophy of ancient greek and rome

Media

plural form of a medium

Art for Daily Use

objects that can bring both pleasure and efficiency into our daily lives; objects that can be used everyday life can be designed artfully for greater enjoyment

Art for Visual Delight

Principal goal of art; created for someone’s pleasure or enjoyment; goal is to captivate the viewer

Art for Communicating Information

used to impart information and ideas; used as a source of information, storytelling, commentary, and self-expression

Art for Public and Personal Expression

Used to remember human lives and events that are notable; can build bridges of empathy to individual viewers; can be used to aid in memories and connects us with humanity that stretches back millennia, making human life seem more significant and valuable

Art for the Spirit

used to enhance religious contemplation, and serves as ritualistic needs of an established faith; many buildings intended for gathering have been designed to induce a feeling of wonder or sublimity

Art for Political Purposes

can be used to express political goals or ideals; some have attempted to persuade viewers to submit to authority; others have expressed protest or even encouraged revolt; many have a persuasive purpose, many used in the service of protest

Portrait/self portrait

work in which the artist depicts themselves, or one specific person as the main subject, capturing both their physical likeliness and inner character

landscape/seascape/cityscape

art in which the artists depict a specific view, like nature such as mountains, rivers, forests, and open fields, or marine art like water, coastlines, ships, and marine life, or urban environments, like buildings, streets, and human activity

still life

depicts inanimate, stationary objects, such as fruits, flowers, food, vessels, books, or other man-made or natural items

fantasy art

depicts magical, mythical, and otherworldly subjects, often inspired by folklore, mythology, and imaginative storytelling; beyond reality, and unlike anything that could be seen in the natural world

abstract

form of art emphasizing shapes, colors, lines, and forms, rather than depicting recognizable objects from the real world; tends to distort a real world subject; still has a clear subject

nonobjective

makes no reference to reality at all; no recognizable elements; created purely from the artist’s imagination

nude art

art depicting an unclothed human body

religious

visual expression of spiritual beliefs, sacred narratives, and the human connection to the divine

genre

depicts scenes from everyday life, portraying ordinary people engaged in common activities such as domestic chores, markets, parties, or street scenes

outsider art

created by self-taught or untrained individuals who operate outside the conventional art world, often producing work with a raw, naive, or unconventional quality; largely unconnected to the formal structures of the art world

folk art

traditional or decorative or utilitarian art created by ordinary people, often untrained, reflecting community life, cultural traditions, and practical needs

Romare Bearden

American artist, frequently using photomontage to depict life in Harlem and New York

-Out Chorus

-The Block

-Young Students

Pablo Picasso

Spanish artist who indulged in a blue period; developed cubism, mainly abstract art

-Portrait of Ambroise Vollard

-The Old Guitarist

Georgia O’Keeffe

American artist, who painted New Mexican landscapes, portraits, and flowers

-Light of Iris

-Summer Days

-Pedernal

Vincent van Gogh

Only sold one of his worlds during his life, but now his pieces sell for millions

-Starry Night

-Red Vinyard

-Irises

Wassily Kandinsky

Russian artist, Credited for creating the first nonobjective art, sometimes using synesthesia method (listening to music for art inspiration)

-Blue Mountain

-Composition X

Rembrendt van Rijn

Dutch golden age artist; Used a neutral palette to create religious and genre scenes with a strong light source

-Philosopher reading

-The Return of the Prodigal Son

Salvador Dali

Spanish surrealist artist, Created surrealist works of art from the images he saw in his dreams; also known as fantasy art

-Galeta of Spheres

-The Temptation of St. Anthony

What makes art worth millions? How does the art world monetarily value art?

scarcity of artist’s work; cost of the materials; quantity of collectors eager to buy; current economy; popularity of artist/style