GNED 01:

ART APPRECIATION
LESSON 3: SUBJECT & CONTENT

MS. ANGELU J. NUESTRO

Instructor
Cavite State University
angelu.nuestro@cvsu.edu.ph
 A. ART SUBJECT DEFINED

SUBJECT OF ART- refers to what the work represents. It could be a

person, an object, a scene or an event.
Representational or objective arts- Non-representational or non-objective arts-
artworks that have subjects. artworks that do not have subjects.

Composition 8 by Kandinsky The Cow by Doesburg (1918)

Sunflowers by Van Gogh
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 B. SOURCES OF SUBJECT

The following are the sources of the artists’ inspirations for their
works:
Nature- the most popular source of objective art.

Seascape Painting Tree Sculpture

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 People- human subjects, whether real or imagined, are the most
interesting source of objective art.

Sculpture of People Painting of a Woman

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 History- historical art works depict real events which are verifiable
facts that occurred in the past.

The Making of the Philippine Flag The Bonifacio Monument

Artist: Amorsolo Artist: Tolentino
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 Legends- present something that is intangible even when unverified
to viewers as they bring life to stories.

Excalibur Malakas at Maganda

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 Religion- based on the sacred texts: the Holy Bible of Christianity and
Quran of Islam and the Torah of Judaism.

The Last Supper The Buddha

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 Mythology- based on the stories of the gods and goddesses of
Ancient Greece, Rome, Celts, Norse, and the Egyptians.

Head of Medusa Sculpture of Horus

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 Dreams and Fantasy- the intrigue of the unconscious also inspires
artists to present it through art for others to see, relate, and interpret.

Persistence of Memory Son of Man

Artist: Dali Artist: Magritte
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 Technology- subjects that include the modern era with its tall buildings
and amazing machines. Futuristic Art: Painting and Sculpture

Art and Motorcycle Cyborg

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 C. WAYS OF PRESENTING THE SUBJECT

Naturalism- In Greek (Hellenistic)

art, gods and heroes , looked and
behaved like human beings. Unlike
other cultures, particularly in the
Egyptians’ (Coptic) art, Greek
deities were almost always
depicted in idealized human form.
Venus de Milo

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 Realism- depicts the
artist’s attempt of
portraying the subject as it
is. Realists try to be
objective as possible in
their subject presentation.
Potato Eaters by Van Gogh

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Abstraction- Abstract means “to move
away or to separate from.” As a subject
presentation, abstraction moves away
from reality, from presenting the subject
as it really is.

We have Four forms of abstraction.

These are distortion, elongation,
mangling, and cubism. Refugee Europe-99
by Sjogren
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 Forms of Abstraction:

1. Distortion- results when the

figures have been so arranged that
its proportions differ significantly
from reality by being misshapen or
twisted out.

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 2. Elongation- the subject is
stretched vertically and /or some
parts lengthened to give the
impression of thinness.

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3. Mangling- popular in sculpture,
theatre and film where the artist
shows subject as cut, lacerated,
mutilated or hacked with repeated
blows.

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4. Cubism- the abstract is presented
through the use of figures: a cone,
cylinder, sphere, triangle, square,
cube, and circle in place of real
pictorial elements to show forms in
their basic geometrical shapes.

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 Symbolism- a symbol is defined
as visible sign of something
invisible such as an idea or quality
which adds a mysterious quality
to the artwork that invites
viewers to uncover.
Mona Lisa
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
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Fauvism- this began in France which
was known to be the first organized
movement in painting of the 1900’s
with their group leader, Matisse.
Fauvism literally means ‘wild beasts’
and uses bright colors to show joy,
comfort, and pleasure that do not
reflect reality. Cat with Red Fish
Artist: Matisse
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Dadaism- the word Dada is French
for hobby horse which is an art
movement that doesn’t follow the
tradition and principles in art.
Dadaists tried to shock and poke
the public through its outrageous
pieces.
Fountain
Artist: Duchamp
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Futurism- an art movement
that began in Italy when the
artists wanted their works to
capture the speed of the force
of the modern industrial
society.
An example of Italian Futurism
By Fortunato Depero
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Surrealism- an invented word for
super realism which was an art
movement in Paris in 1924 by the
French poet Andre Breton that
emphasized the activities of the
subconscious mind. Its subjects
usually have themes that are violent
and cruel.
An Example of Surrealism in Art
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Expressionism- an art movement
that occurred during the first decade
of the 20th Century in Germany.
Expressionists believe that man
needs spiritual rebirth for him to
correct defects that ruin the society.
They are very subjective and their
works presented involve chaos,
sadness, tragedy, and defeat. Lady in a Green Jacket
Artist: Macke
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