THE SUBJECT OF ART

DEFINITION OF SUBJECT

According to Dudley, subject is a

term used for whatever is represented
in a work of art. A subjects answer the
question what is it or what is it about.
However it should be noted that not all
arts have subject.

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 CLASSIFICATION OF ART
ACCORDING TO SUBJECT MATTER

• Representational or Objective Arts. These are

the arts that have subject.

• Non-representational Arts. These are the arts

that don’t have a subject.

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART

1. Nature. Natural environment has always

been the source and popular subjects used by
artist. The artist’s observation of nature is
always a convenient and ever available subject
through eyes. Painting by Van Gogh “Starry
Night” is the best example.

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 STARRY NIGHT BY V.V.G.
SAINT-RÉMY, FRANCE: JUNE, 1889

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 ATIS AT LANZONES
NI FERNADO AMORSOLO, 1946,
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 Sunflowers, 1888
Oil on Canvas
Vincent Van Gogh

ATIS AT

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART

2. Animals. Most primitive paintings and

sculpture are about animals. Animals that
symbolize beauty, courage, peace, strength,
loyalty and intelligence could be the subjects of
modern day art. The best example is the work
of Mr. Hiroshi Sugimoto entitled Hyenna, Jackal,
Vulture- 1976.

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HYENNA, JACKAL, VULTURE

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ELEPHANT BY ANDRIES BOTHA

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART
3. People. People are also favorite subjects of
many artists especially those who played a vital
role in a particular society. In our case have the
different life size sculpture of our heroes that
served as commemoration to them about the
heroic deeds they’ve done for our country.
Example are Statue of Dr. Jose Rizal, Andres
Bonifacio, Ninoy Aquino and the like.

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART
4. Everyday Life. Some artist make use as
subjects people doing simple and ordinary
activities. The artists celebrate the joys and
excitement of the lives of simple and
ordinary folks in their painting. Example
are “Planting Rice”, and “Laundry Woman”
by Filipino painter Fernando Amorsolo.

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 PLANTING RICE
BY FERNANDO AMORSOLO, 1954

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 THE BIRD SELLER
BY VICENTE MANANSALA, 1973

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SUNDAY MORNING, GOING TO TOWN,
BY FERNANDO AMORSOLO, 1961

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FRUIT PICKER UNDER MANGO TREE
BY FERNANDO AMORSOLO, 1937

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART
5. History. Through out the ages artists are
fond of using history as their subject in
creating an art works. From the historical
events and figures such as rulers, statesmen,
leaders and heroes were always a good
subject for writers, painters and sculptures.
Biographies as form of literature.

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MAKING THE PHILIPPIN FLAG
BY FERNANDO AMORSOLO

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART
6. Religion. Religious characters are also
the favorite subjects of many artists. The
sacred character of religion helps create
in the artist sense of inspiration which is
manifested in his work.

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 SOURCES OF THE
SUBJECT OF ART

7. Dreams.

8. Other Art.

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