Art Appreciation

Chapter 1

Meaning and Importance

of Art and Art History
Chapter 1

Meaning and Importance of Art and Art History

Introduction

A rt is a highly diverse range of human activities engaged in creating visual, auditory, or

performed artifacts— artworks—that express the author’s imaginative or technical skill, and are
intended to be appreciated for their beauty or emotional power.

The oldest documented forms of art are visual arts, which include images or objects in fields like
painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, and other visual media. Architecture is often
included as one of the visual arts; however, like the decorative arts, it involves the creation of
objects where the practical considerations of use are essential, in a way that they usually are not in
another visual art, like a painting.

Art may be characterized in terms of mimesis (its representation of reality), expression,

communication of emotion, or other qualities. Though the definition of what constitutes art is
disputed and has changed over time, general descriptions center on the idea of imaginative or
technical skill stemming from human agency and creation. When it comes to visually identifying
a work of art, there is no single set of values or aesthetic traits. A Baroque painting will not
necessarily share much with a contemporary performance piece, but they are both considered art.

Specific Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

 Discuss the different definitions of art from different artists

 Differentiate art history from art appreciation
 Characterize artistic expression based on personal experiences with art
 Appreciate the valuable role of arts through participation and intense involvement in
artistic activities

Duration

Chapter 3: Meaning and Importance of Art and Art = 6 hours

History (4 hours discussion; 2 hours
assessment)
LESSON PROPER

General Overview Of Humanities

The Study of Humanities

◦ The term “humanities originated from Renaissance Latin expression studia

humanitatis or study of humanitas which refers to “culture, refinement,
education”.
◦ During the Renaissance period of the early 15th century, the studia humanitatis
became a secular study in the universities at the time.
◦ The humanities course primarily consisted of grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history,
and moral philosophy, Latin and Greek classics.
◦ The study of humanities today include literature, language, philosophy, geography,
history, religion, music and art. These subjects use methods that are primarily
critical, speculative, and historical in elements.
◦ Humanities are academic disciplines that deal on the various aspects of society
and the noble man. Thus, humanities make man more humane, cultured, dignified,
and refined human being. In short, humanities bring out the best and worthiness of
man as a person.

Meaning and Importance of Art

◦ Art is a subject under humanities (there is no one universal definition of art since
art is subjective). It is subjective in the sense that people differ in their perception
of an object or thing.
◦ Etymologically, art is from an Italian word “artis” defined as human creative skill.
Art includes its application, craftsmanship, skill, inventiveness, mastery of form,
and association of the use of forms and ideas and the utilization of materials and
techniques.
From Aryan civilization, “ar” means to join or put together; from Latin
word “ars” implying ability or skill; and from the Greek words “artizien” which
implies to prepare and “arkiskien” denotes to put together.

◦ Some people may consider an object as something beautiful and meaningful while
others may consider it as ugly or meaningless. In other words, different authors and
writers define art in various ways as they perceive it.
 ◦ Moreover, the meaning of art has changed throughout history due to multicultural
settings. Thus, every time a new movement in art emerged, the meaning of what is
art, or what is acceptable as art, is being challenged.
Some Definitions of Art
• Art is a product of man’s need to express himself-F. Zulueta
• Art concerned itself with the communication of certain ideas and feelings and by
means of form and film -C. Sanchez
• Art is that which brings life in harmony with the world.-Plato
• Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind-one which demands for its own satisfaction
and fulfilling, a shaping matter to new and more signification forms-John Dewey
• Art is not what you see but you make others see- Geogia O’Keeffe
• Art is a life that helps us to realize the truth-Pablo Picasso
• Art is desire of a man to express himself, to record the action of his personality in the
world he lives in.-Amy Lowell
• Art is never finished, only abandoned- Leonardo da Vinci
• Art is the conscious creation of something beautiful or meaningful using skill and
imagination.- Lisa Morder
• Art is the skillful arrangement or composition of some common but significant
qualities of nature such us colors, sounds, lines, movements, words, stones, wood, etc.,
to express human feelings, emotions, or thoughts in a perfect, meaningful, and
enjoyable way. - Panizo and Rustia

Four (4) Common Essentials of Art

1. Art is man-made, not God-made

2. Art is creative, not imitative
3. Art benefits and satisfies man-when he uses art in practical life through artistic
principles, taste, and skills.
4. Art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist
communicates himself to his fellows.

Why is Art important?

 Art improves your creativity skills.

 Art gives you joy satisfaction.
 Art relieves stress.
 Art gives you the opportunity to showcase your talent.
 Art gives confidence in our performance.
 Art helps you do well academically.
 Art helps you to express your emotions.
 Art is a different language because it can express things without words.
 Importance of Art to Students

Art plays a valuable role to students;

1. Through participation in arts-music, dance, drama, media arts, and the visual
arts,
a) Students can develop their creativity.
b) Students learn about their identity.
c) Students develop self-awareness
d) Students develop sense of well-being
e) Students develop self-confidence.

2. Through intense involvement in artistic activities,

a) Students experience a sense of wonder and joy when learning
through the arts.
b) Students can be motivated to participate more fully in cultural life.
c) Students are able to gain educational opportunities, which they can
use later in their career life.

Art Appreciation

Art appreciation can be defined as follows:

 Art appreciation is the ability to interpret and understand man-made arts and enjoy
them through actual work experience with art tools and materials.
 Art appreciation is the possession of the works of art for one’s admiration and
satisfaction.
 Art appreciation refers to the knowledge and understanding of the general and
everlasting qualities that classify all great arts.
 Art appreciation is the introduction and exploration of visual and performing art
forms.
 Art appreciation is the analysis of the form of an artwork to general audience to
enhance their enjoyment and satisfaction of the works of art.

Importance of Art Appreciation

  Art Appreciation helps the person make sense of his world by broadening his
experience and understanding of the things around him.
 It can help the person imagine even the unimaginable.
 It is able to connect a person’s life and experience the past, the present, and the future
or sometimes simultaneously.
 It can help transport the individual to different places and culture through literature,
films, visual arts, and other forms of art.
 It allows the individual to see himself, his family dynamics as well as his community
through different lens of great art.
 It enables the individual to better empathize with those who suffered and endured for
their lives through great art forms.

 ART HISTORY

Art history is the study of objects of art considered within their time or period. Art
historians analyze visual arts’ meaning (painting, sculpture, architecture) at the time they
were created.

Art Historians develop ways to translate from the visual to the verbal, through analysis
and interpretation, using a number of different approaches and methodologies.

Art Historians develop a special sensitivity and understanding of the way visual,
material, and – in contemporary art sometimes immaterial – expression makes meaning in the
world, and how those meanings contribute to our social, political, and spiritual life.

Importance of studying Art History

 In understanding cultures
Visual art recounts stories of our past; it gives an account of past events. Art history
allows us to look back and understand how our civilization evolved over the centuries. It is a
way to know ourselves better. Why do we have certain values? What shaped the way we think
and our vision of the world?

 In develop critical thinking

Studying art history is not about memorizing dates, artists’ names, art movements, etc.
Instead, it drives you to analyze paintings, photographs, sculptures, etc. To support your
analysis, you must build rational and convincing arguments, hence developing your critical
thinking.
References/Additional Resources/Readings

https://wikieducator.org/Art_Appreciation_and_Techniques/Module_1

Ariola, Mariano M. (2018) Art Appreciation. Intramuros, Manila: Unlimited Books Library
Services & Publishing Inc.

Capili, M. F. et.al. (2010) HUMANITIES: Art Apprecaition. Plaridel Bulacan: TCS-Publishing

House.