Humanities 1

Subject
and 01

Content
Prepared by: Jerie M. Jakosalem Jr.
 Learning Outcome
Identify the Subject and
Content of an Art
02
 Outline
 Introduction
 The Three Basic Components of Art
 Types of Subjects 03
 Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Content in Art
 Conclusion
 References
Introduction
 In order to appreciate an artwork, one must be able to extract a
specific image, isolate the artist or maker's intention, and
unearth a particular meaning.
 The primary stage of engaging art is its perception.
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Introduction
 In most cases, there are clues that mediate between the
artwork and the viewer, allowing the viewer to more easily
comprehend what he is seeing.
 These clues are the three basic components of a work of art:
subject, form, and content. 05
The Three Basic Components of Art
 Subject
- visual focus or the image that may be extracted from
examining the artwork.
 Form
- the development and configuration of the artwork - how the 06
elements and the medium or material are put together.
 Content
- the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the
artwork.
Subject 01
Subject
 In the arts, there are observable qualities that the artwork
holds that will point to its subject, and sometimes even to its
content.
 In order to get the subject, look at the:
 constituent figures that are perceivable on the surface of 07
the canvas or the sculpture, and
 manner in which the artist chose to depict those figures.
Type of Subject
 Representational art
- refers to objects or events occurring in the real world.
- often, it is also termed figurative art, because as the name
suggests, the figures depicted are easy to make out and
decipher. 08
Leonardo da Vinci,
“Mona Lisa” (1503).
Musée du Louvre
Collection. 09
Type of Subject
 Non-representational art
- does not make a reference to the real world, whether it is a
person, place, thing, or even a particular event.
- It is also often termed non-figurative art.
- It is stripped down to visual elements such as shapes, lines, 10
and colors that are employed to translate a particular feeling,
emotion, and even concept.
Jackson Pollock,
“Number 1A” (1948).
Oil enamel paint on
canvas. Museum of 11
Modern Art (MOMA)
Collection. Photo
courtesy of Sharon
Mollerus.
Sources and Kinds of Subject
 The kinds of subject enumerated below are explored prevalent
in any form of art expression, either in visual, or combined
arts. Nature (landscape, seascapes, and of nature), still life,
animals, portraits/human figures, legends, religion and
mythology, and dreams and fantasies. 12
Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Nature
- This subject deals with the physical environment- the
world.

Parts of Nature 13
 Landscapes
 Cityscapes
 Seascapes
Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Nature
- Landscapes are parts of nature. They include mountains,
plateaus, valleys, islands, etc.

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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Nature
- Cityscapes refer to anything that compasses the scene of
the city, such as buildings, roads, etc., and are not directly
part of nature through situated inland by human beings to
serve their purpose. 16
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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Nature
- Seascapes include lakes, rivers, ocean, stream, brook and
other watercourses.

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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Animals
- This is another kind of subject that is commonly used in
any Art forms, not only it is prevalent today but also during the
medieval period when early Christians used animal symbols
such as peacock and fish to identify themselves as Christian 20
believers.
21
Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Portrait or Human Figures
- A whole human figure or just a part of it can represent the
self. In using this kind of subject, the angle, the distance, and
the subject or model’s composure are considered.
- The human body is known as “the measure of all things”. 22
It reflects proportion, balance, coordination, order, and unity.
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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 History and Legends
- Historical events are real stories while legends are just
imaginary accounts. Whether history or legends, these stories
are used in any art form to share and transmit the values that
are attached with them. 24
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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Still Life
- Still life refers to in-animating objects either in a form of
drawing, painting or photograph. It allows us to look into the
beauty of a certain object and be able to play in its
presentation. 26
- In still life, it features the ability of the artist to play with
the characteristics such as highlights, middle stones, dark
tones, shadow and reflection.
27
Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Religion and Mythology
- Religious and mythological themes are subject that are
practiced by religious and tribal groups. Religious or
mythological art as a kind of subject is usually done by an
insider artist or a devoted member of a religious group. 28
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Sources and Kinds of Subject
 Dreams and Fantasies
- Dreams and Fantasies refer to subjects that are inspired
by the subconscious mind as discovered by Sigmund Freud.
- Artworks that are inspired by dreams and fantasies are
called surrealism. 31
- Art had been an effective tool to assist the human being to
explore imagination. It even assists us to escape from reality.
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Content 01
Content
 The subject may simply be referred to as “what.” But apart
from what is made explicit, to recognize and grasp the
message of the artwork , the viewer may sometimes need to
go beyond what is visible.
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Content
 In order to understand the content of art, there are various
levels of meaning to consider:
 Factual Meaning
 Conventional Meaning
 Subjective Meaning 35
Content in Art
 Factual Meaning
- pertains to the most rudimentary level of meaning for it
may be extracted from the identifiable or recognizable forms
in the artwork and understanding how these elements relate
to one another. 36
Content in Art
 Conventional Meaning
- pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the artwork
using motifs, signs, symbols, and other cyphers as bases of
its meaning.
37
Content in Art
 Subjective Meaning
- it is when a variety of meaning may arise when a
particular work of art is read. These meanings stem from the
viewer's or audience's circumstances that come to play when
engaging with art. 38
Content in Art

38
Conclusion
 In gaining the basics of deciphering the subject and content
of art, it is hoped that an individual's sensitivity and
perceptiveness to art will be developed.

 Taking note of what is apparent will provide clues as to what 39

the intended meaning of the artist might be.
Conclusion
 Knowing more about the context of its creation - from the
artist's inspiration, reference or source, will prove useful in
understanding the meaning of the artwork.

 However, one must not forget that each viewer is armed with 40
his or her experience, background, and education.
References
 Books
1. Dr. Teody Boylie R. Perez, Rogelito D. Cayas Jr., & Norman F. Narciso.
Alampat: An Introduction to Art Appreciation. Davao City: Blue Patriarch
Publishing House, 2013.
2. Caslib, Bernardo Nicolas Jr, Dorothy C. Garing & Jezreel Anne R. Casaul.
Art Appreciation. Manila, Philippines: Rex Book Store, 2018. 41
3. Javellana, SJ. Understanding, Valuing, & Living Art: Art Appreciation For
College. Philippines: Vibal Group, Inc. and Rene B. Javellana, SJ.

 Websites/URLs
1. https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/608619337130379392/

2. https://bit.ly/3dm49d3
Questions?
I can be reached via email:
jerie.jakosalem@mu.edu.ph 42
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Discussion Board