ART APPRECIATION (Ways of Presenting the Subject) |1

Ways of Presenting the Subject Realism

Different Ways of Presenting the Subject Realism

 In its specific sense realism refers to a mid-
WAYS OF PRESENTING THE SUBJECT:
nineteenth century artistic movement characterized
1. Naturalism
by subjects painted from everyday life in a
2. Realism
naturalistic manner.
3. Abstraction
 Shows everyday situations and social realities.
a. Distortion
b. Elongation *These are what we often see in our society and community.
c. Mangling *Examples are the paintings of Solenn Heusaff.
d. Cubism *The subject of realism usually poverty.
*It will appear as if it was photograph.
4. Symbolism
*It is how things appeared to the eye.
5. Fauvism *What you actually see is how the artist will portray it.
6. Dadaism
7. Futurism
8. Surrealism
9. Expressionism

Naturalism

Naturalism
 Naturalism in art refers to the depiction of realistic
objects in a natural setting.
 Shows natural shadows, lighting and the physical
attributes of an artwork is always accurate on human
figure.
*This is the attempt of an artist to portray what is natural. This painting was the first portrait of human painted by Vincent Van
*It may not reflect in reality since the focus of naturalism is more on Gogh and was painted for how many times. The painting was about
the physical attributes / anatomical figure of an artwork. peasants and farmers eating a potato.

Abstraction

Abstraction
 “to move away or to separate from”
 Subject presentation moves away from reality.
It depends on an artist on how he will present a certain idea.
It doesn’t reflect the reality.
It depends on what he feel on how he will portray the
idea. It is also subjective.

DIFFERENT TYPES/KINDS OF ABSTRACTION:

1. Distortion
2. Elongation
3. Mangling
4. Cubism

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1. Distortion
This is a form of abstraction results when the figures
have been so arranged that its proportion differ significantly
from the reality. This is manifested when the subjects is
misshapen or twisted out. This is done to dramatize the
shape of a figure or to create a dramatic/ emotional effect.
*It is made like that in order to dramatize its shape and to have an
emotional effect.
*The subject is different from what we usually see.
*It depends on the artist on how he will present his idea.
2. Elongation
In this type of abstraction, the subject is stretched
vertically and/or some parts lengthened to give the
impression of thinness.
*The subject is stretched vertically or there are parts that are lengthened.
*When it is stretched horizontally, its is NOT elongation – since when it
is stretched horizontally, the art widens or becomes thick.
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3. Mangling
This might not be so common in paintings but may be
popular in other art forms (sculpture, theater or film). Artists
show subject as cut, lacerated, mutilated or hacked with
repeated blows.
*These are artworks that are disfigured or damaged.
*The art work isn’t completed.
4. Cubism
Abstract form is presented through the use of figures: a
cone, cylinder, sphere, triangle, square, cube, and circle in
place of real pictorial elements. The cubist want to show
forms in their basic geometrical shapes.
*PABLO PICASSO and GEORGES BRAQUE – proponents or
founder of cubism.
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Symbolism Dadaism
Symbolism Dadaism
 Draws the viewers’ attention to what other message  Does NOT follow the traditions and principles in art.
the artist may be trying to covey aside from what is  Tried to shock and provoke the public with
being observed. outrageous artworks
*On what you see or observed, it ISN’T what the painter meant as you  Playful/ experimental
have to decipher quotes or symbols further.
*There are a lot of hidden meanings that you need to unlock aside from *Weird artworks.
what you have observed. *MARCEL DUCHAMP – most famous artist under Dadaism. His art
*It has a lot of mysterious qualities as to why the artwork became was he bought a urinal then placed “R.Mutt 1917” and brought it to an
famous. exhibit of an organization – then the organization rejected the art which
made him resign from the organization.
*Mona Lisa at the right side was also altered by him by placing a
Mustache and a butt – L.H.O.O.Q // "Elle a chaud au cul" French
word which means she has a hot ass.
*It is also sometime political driven.

Some speculations:
*She is the girl version of Leonardo Da Vinci.
*Mona Lisa is an unfinished art as to the reason why she has no
eyebrows.
*During the type of Da Vinci, it is trend to have no facial hair.
*Da Vinci didn’t put eyebrows to Mona Lisa in order to not discover his
identity because people tells that Da Vinci is gay.
Futurism
Fauvism Futurism
Fauvism  The Movement began in Italy. Its goal was to capture
the speed and force of the modern industrial society.
 This movement started in France Paintings and sculptures highlight the technologies
 Henri Matisse was the leader of this group. of modern life.
 Fauvism literally means Wild beast.
*Showcases the modernization of our society – as well as technology.
 Used bright colors which shows pictures of comfort,
joy, and pleasure.
*Uses bright colors and isn’t a reflection of reality – Alteration of colors
*”Wild Beast” – is just a derogatory remark that was stated by Henri
Matisse.
*Fauvism – “no dull moments” – since it looks like as if it was splattered by
colors.

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Surrealism
Surrealism
 It emphasized the activities of subconscious mind.
 Shock the viewer and reveal what they consider to
be deep, true and ugly part of human nature.
Expressionism
 Emotions aroused by objects and events
 Chaos, sadness, tragedy, defeat
*Conveys more on dark emotions.
*These are based on their experience and may happen in real life.

*Surrealism comes from the word “super real”

*It is also somewhat inspired in Dadaism.
*It is also like dreams and fantasy.
*It does NOT reflect the reality but when it comes to the meaning, it
shows what happens in the real life.
*It is too good to be true.

*Art – ear and eye – we judge a person even if we don’t know them or
by just hearing their stories – for us, it is what is real without knowing
them personally. We judge a person base on what we hear.

“The Scream” by Edvard Munch

This is a real painting and the place was in Norway. Those

were his two friends and he is the one in the middle. His family
member died which made him “crazy” and sick. He used art in order to
express his experience and emotion.

Red Wood – “Only when the last tree has been cut down,
the last fish has been caught, and the last stream poisoned,
will we realize we cannot eat money.

*Self – destruction – we humans are the ones who destroy

ourselves.

*Desperation – we are so desperate to earn money.

Expressionism
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