FORM, SUBJECT

AND CONTENT
I n t e g r a t i n g E l e m e n t s a n d
P r i n c i p l e s o f A r t s
 Form

Form can be defined as the physical structure or

shape of a work of art. It is an element of art that
describes how artists represent three dimensional
shapes. Artists can represent three-dimensional form
on a two-dimensional surface by rendering shape,
highlights and shadows.

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 Two Aspects of Art

• Material Aspects – What it is made of?

• Ideational Aspects – How was it formed?

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 Pieta by Michelangelo Buonarroti

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 The form only comes from
the artist’s idea.
- Michelangelo Buonarroti

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 Ideas are found in the
natural world.

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 Subject

The subject is the who and what of an artwork.

For an idea to be made apparent, an artist selects a

slice of that idea.

This becomes the subject, or what the viewer

recognizes.

It is what the viewer encounters to access the idea.

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 Subject (Icon)

An icon is a readily recognizable image that

corresponds to a real referent usually situated in one’s
culture. Mother and child is one of the most common
icons to be seen in the world of art.

Jose Rizal, sarimanok, American eagle, samurai

,kabuki, elephant, buddha, shiva and Khrisna

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 Subject (Nature)

Another common subject in art is nature. Artists love to

represent the beauty and vastness of this world. The
beauty of nature inspires people to create works of
art.

Landscapes, seascapes

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 Subject (Human Figure)

Artists are fascinated with the human figure. It is one of

the most popular subjects in the field of visual arts.

Many artist study the human body and observe its

shape, proportions, posture and movements.

It may emphasize femineity, masculinity and

childhood

portraiture
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 Subject (Still Life)

Still life artworks make use of an inanimate objects or

group of objects as subject matter.

Foods, plants, tableware, jewelry and toys.

These are objects found in one’s culture and home.

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 Subject (Human Activity)

Human activity may range from ordinary

circumstances to special occasions and celebrations.

Can also have socio-political tenor such as wars and

revolutions.

Personal or leisurely activities.

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 Content

Content operates beyond the mere recognition of

figures such as those from nature, the human figure or
human activity.

They operate beyond the mere recognition of

inanimate objects found within interiors such as the life
of the table or objects used as human tools or
embellishments.

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 Content

Content is usually understood because of the

juxtaposition of recognizable forms that are charged
with historical, political, or economic particularities.

Recognition of the content requires an integration of

knowledge.

Content is also seen through the emotional

undertones suggested by the interplay of visual
elements.
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 Content

Historical Events

The Divine

The Language of still life

Philosophy and Literature

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