Subject and Content
Subject and Content
Subject and Content
AND
CONTENT
WMSU
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LEARNING OUTCOMES
1. Differentiate representational art and non-representational art
2. Content
– the meaning that is communicated
by the artist or the artwork
3. Form
– the development put together
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David Bailly, “Self-Portrait with Vanitas Symbols (1651)
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In order to flesh out what the subject of
the art is, it is important to first look at the
constituent figures that are perceivable on the
surface of the canvas or the sculpture, and the
manner in which the artist chose to depict those
figures.
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TYPES OF SUBJECT
1. Representational art
– have subjects that refer to objects
or events occurring in the real world
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Leonardo da Vinci, “Mona Lisa” (1503) 7
2. Non-representational art/non-figurative art
– does not make a reference to the real
world
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Jackson Pollock, detail of Number 1A (1948)
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3. Abstract art
– is a departure from reality, but the
extent of that departure determines whether it
has reached the end of the spectrum, which is
non-representationality
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Pablo Picasso, “Head of a Woman, Mougins” (1962) 11
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
1. The Nature
– artists throughout history have
explored diverse ways of representing nature
• Plants
• Animals
• Qualities of bodies of water
• Terrain of landmasses
• Cycles and changing seasons
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Vincent van Gogh, “Wheat Fields Near Auvers” (1890)
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SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
• Claude Monet
• Camille Pissarro
• Paul Cēzanne
• JMW Tunner
• Fernando Amorsolo
• Fabian dela Rosa
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Jan Van Kessel, “A Cockchafer, Beetle, Woodlice and Other
Insects, with a Sprig of Auricula” (early 1650’s) 15
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
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“Discobolus” (Roman, 2nd Century AD), after a Greek original by the 17
sculptor Myron of 450-440 BC
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
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Interior of Westmister 20
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
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“Shah Jahan Receiving Dara Shikoh”, Folio from the Late Shah
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Jahan Album (circa 1650)
SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
5.
Historically
significant
event
Francisco de Goya,
“El Tres de Mayo”
(1814)
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SOURCES AND KINDS OF SUBJECT
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CONTENT IN ART
LEVELS OF MEANING
LEVELS OF MEANING
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CONTENT IN ART
LEVELS OF MEANING
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• Conventional
meaning:
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• Subjective meaning:
• An image and a
message were hidden
in plain sight:
How the silhouette of
God, the shroud and the
drapery that trail behind,
all seemingly align with
the shape of the human
brain
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• The work can also be aptly called “The
Endowment of Adam” for it brought to light that
as God’s creation, the most important qualities
imparted to man was intellect
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