METHODS OF PRESENTING THE ART SUBJECTS
Movements Major Trends Methods
1. REALISM
- the attempt to portray the subjects as it is
- tries to be objective as possible
- to describe as accurately and honestly as possible
what is observed by the senses
- presentation and organization of details in the work
seem natural
- its goal is the faithful rendering of the objective reality
of human life
- emphasizes the daily life of a common man
o Burial at Ornans GUSTAVE COURBET Oil on
canvas 1849
o The Third Class Carriage HONORE DAUMIER Oil
on canvas 1951
o Harvesters Resting JEAN-FRANCOIS MILLET Oil
on canvas 1850
o Planting Rice FERNANDO AMORSOLO Oil on
canvas 1951
o Barong-Barong VICENTE MANANSALA
Watercolor 1958
Summary
Julio, a poor fisherman, sailed away from Manila to
look for his young and beloved Ligaya, who had long
gone with Mrs. Cruz to work and study in the city. In
search, Julio experienced being a victim of the cruelties
of the society, exploited both inside and outside of the
construction industry, losing work, killing people
accidentally, starving and sleeping everywhere. In the
midst of tension and disappointment, he became fierce,
he himself became dangerous. He found out that Ligaya
was a victim of prostitution, and a prisoner of a Chinese
man. Ligaya and Julio, together, plans their escape from
the harsh life of the city.
o Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag EDGARDO REYES
Novel 1986
2. ABSTRACTION
- “abstract”, meaning “to move away or separate” -
does not show the subject at all as an objective reality,
but only shows the artist’s ideas and feelings about the
subject
o Bird in Space CONSTANTIN BRANCUSI Marble
1923
Ways abstract subjects can be presented:
DISTORTION- the subject is in misshapen condition, or
the regular shape is twisted out
o King and Queen HENRY MOORE Bronze 1957
ELONGATION - the subject is lengthened
- a protraction or an extension
o Resurrection EL GRECO Oil on canvas 1600
o Bagong Taon ARTURO LUZ Oil on canvas 1952
MANGLING- subject or elements in a composition are
cut, lacerated, mutilated or hacked with repeated blows
- not commonly used
o Three Studies of Lucian Freud FRANCIS BACON
Oil on canvas 1969
CUBISM - the use of a cone, cylinder, sphere, or the use
of geometric shapes at the expense of other elements
o Les Demoiselles d’Avignon PABLO PICASSO Oil
on canvas 1907
o Candle Vendors VICENTE MANANSALA Oil on
canvas 1976
ABSTRACT EXPRESSIONISM- characterized by the use of
large canvasses and a deliberate lack of refinement in
the application of paint, strong color, uneven brush
strokes and rough texture
o Black on Gray MARK ROTHKO Acrylic on canvas
1969
o Granadean Arabesque JOSE JOYA Impasto and
sand on canvas 1958
2. SYMBOLISM-- the use of a visible sign of an idea, or
symbols to convey the message of the artist
- combines religious mysticism, the perverse, and the
decadent
- characterized by an interest in the occult, the morbid,
the dream world, melancholy, evil, and death
- obscure references from literature and music
o The Dance of Life EDVARD MUNCH Oil on
canvas 1899
o The Yellow Christ PAUL GAUGUIN Oil on canvas
1889
o Spoliarium JUAN LUNA Oil on canvas 1884
3. FAUVISM- does not attempt to express ethical,
philosophical or psychological themes, rather they paint
pictures of comfort, joy and pleasure - use extremely
bright colors
o Woman with a Hat HENRY MATISSE Oil on
canvas 1905
o Landscape Near Chatou ANDRÉ DERAIN Oil on
canvas 1904
o The Casino RAOUL DUFY Oil on canvas 1906
o The Old King GEORGE ROUALT Oil on canvas
1936
4. DADAISM- a protest movement in the arts
- react to what they believed were outgrown traditions
of art and the evils they saw in the society
- tried to shock and provoke the public with outrageous
art - playful and highly experimental - “dada”, French
word “hobby horse” (deliberately chosen because it is
nonsensical)
o The Fountain MARCEL DUCHAMP Ceramic 1917
o L.O.O.H.Q / La Joconde MARCEL DUCHAMP
Painting 1919
5. FUTURISM- captures the speed and force of modern
industrial society
o The Dynamism of a Car LUIGI RUSSOLO Painting
1913
6. SURREALISM- founded in Paris by French poet Andre
Breton, 1924
- uses art as a weapon against the evils and restrictions
seen in society
- Surrealism is an invented word meaning “super
realism”
o The Persistence of Memory SALVADOR DALI Oil
on canvas 1931
MEDIUMS OF THE VISUAL ARTS - possesses only surfaces of light, gives no
Medium refers to the materials which are glazed effect and most closely resembles
used by an artist — it is the means by which dry pigment
he communicates his ideas. - it is not a very popular medium because
PAINTING - the art of creating meaningful no one has yet to discover the way to
effects on a flat surface by the use of preserve its original freshness
pigments - the chalk tends to rub off and the picture
1. OIL loses some of its brilliance
- pigments mixed in oil 5. FRESCO
- two (2) methods in painting in oil - colors are mixed with water and applied to
1. Direct method - paint is opaque fresh plaster which absorbs the color
and is applied to the surface - “fresco”, Italian, means fresh and is used
2. Indirect method - paint is applied to designate the process of painting in fresh
in many thin layers of transparent wet plaster
color - has its disadvantages
- has its disadvantages - it is almost impossible to move a fresco
- the oil paint dries slowly and has a - the painting is subject to the disasters that
tendency to rise to the surface and form a may happen to the wall of which it has
film over the picture making it appear dull become a part
Maria Makiling CARLOS “BOTONG” The Creation of Adam MICHAELANGELO
FRANCISCO Oil on canvas 1980 Fresco 1512
Red Talisman JOSE JOYA Oil on canvas 1975
Parisian Life JUAN LUNA Oil on canvas 1982
2. TEMPERA
- mixture of ground pigments and an
albuminous or colloidal vehicle, either egg,
gum or glue, used by Egyptian, Medieval
and Renaissance painters
- special characteristic: an emulsion, water-
based
- rapid drying and great luminosity of tone -
three (3) principal dimensions
1. unvarnished or gouachee-like
tempera
2. varnished tempera
3. tempera as an under painting for
oil
Majesty SEGNA DI BONAVENTURA Tempera
on panel siena 1298-1326
Resurrection with Two Angels BERNARDINO
FUNGAI Tempera on wood siena 1460-1616
3. WATERCOLOR
- pigments mixed with water and applied to
fine, white paper
- require a high degree of technical
dexterity
- gouache, opaque watercolor
4. PASTEL
- pigment is bound so as to form a crayon
which is applied directly to the surface,
usually paper