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Subject and Content of Art

Pieces of art are composed of three main parts, namely, subject, form, and content. People easily confuse the
subject and the content, but the two concepts are different. Content involves all the parts of an artwork, such as the
subject. Thus, the content can be seen as a macro element of the piece, whereas the subject is a microelement of
the artwork.

Definition of Subject Definition of Content

The main character, object, or anything
that is the major emphasis in the work of art is
referred to as the subject in art. The subject
can be at the center of the painting or
elsewhere, but regardless of its size, it is
always the most recognizable thing in the
entire work of art. This focal point will be
identified whether it is a well-known object or
because it can be seen in relation with the
rest of the artwork.
Example: The dog would be the subject in a
photograph of a dog running on the beach
since it is the most recognizable component in
the image
The general meaning or aim of the piece
is referred to as the content in the realm of art.
It is how the artist wishes to communicate his
message through his art. The message sent
out by a work of art is known as its content.
The theme, the techniques used to create the
piece, the colors utilized, and everything else
the artist used to make a statement or send a
message are all included.
Example: Using photograph of a dog running
on the beach as an example, the content
would be the dog’s hair moving in the air, its
tongue coming out, the white sand, warm light
from the sun, etc. It gives the message that the
dog feels free and happy running outside.
Content is the overall meaning or message of
the work of art.

Subject of Art
The subject is a recognizable part of art because it is easily depicted by our senses. It is the visual focus of the
image that may be extracted from examining the artwork. Subject pertains to the “what” of an artwork. For example,
when you look at an image, you will be able to recognize the subject that the presence of a father, a mother, and
children; hence, you may say that the image consists of a family, or you look at a painting and see that it is a painting
of an apple. What exactly is depicted in the image is the subject itself.

Concerning the subject matter, art is an imitation, depiction, or representation of an aspect of the nature of life.
The object that is being imitated, depicted, or represented in art is its subject matter. Anything in the universe, such
as the aspect of nature including the sea, the sky, fields, forest, mountains, animals, etc. (often depicted in painting);
human concern in the realm of experience, action, and deed (as recounted in fiction, narrative poetry, and drama);
emotions and moods (lyric poetry); ideas (the essay); spatial forms (i.e., sculpture and architecture); tonal forms
(music); and plastic forms in motion, space, and time (dance), may serve as the subject of art.

“Subject” is a term used for whatever is represented in a work of art. It refers to any identifiable object,
individual, thing, place, or event that is illustrated in a work of art. The subject answers the question of what is it or
what it is about. However, not all artworks have a subject. Art with a subject is called objective or representational art,
while that without a subject is called nonobjective or nonrepresentational art. According to the subject matter, art may
be classified into two types, as follows:

1. Representational or Objective Art – It portrays or depicts something other than its form.
Representational art or figurative art represents objects or events in the real world, usually looking
easily recognizable. This type is also referred to as figurative art. Take a painting of a bird, a sculpture
of a person, or a drawing of a flower as examples. They can be easily recognized because they
represent what is existing in this world.

Representational art is the type of art that we see the most. It is the use of signs that stand in for and
take the place of something else. Representational means descriptive, figurative, and symbolized.
Briefly, it depicts something easily recognized by most people.
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Example: The painting on the right is called Thunder Magic by Marcia Baldwin.
People can generally recognize it as a horse without a doubt. Although the use of
color may not be realistic, it represents an actual subject from reality. Other
examples are Venus de Milo, Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Prokokiev’s Peter and the
Wolf, and Swan Lake.

2. Nonrepresentational or Nonobjective Art – Nonobjective art represents except its form.

If representational art is a picture of something, then nonrepresentational art is the complete
opposite. Instead of directly portraying something recognizable, the artist will use form, shape, and
color, and line, which are essential elements in visual art, to express emotion, feeling, or other
concepts. It is also called “complete abstraction” or nonfigurative art. Nonrepresentational and abstract
arts are not exact things. There is no clear-cut divide, but they exist in the spectrum. When artists work
on abstraction, they are distorting the view of a known thing, a person, or a place.

Example: An example is the Rorschach Experiment on the right. While nothing in

the image is intended to look like anything specific that exists, the self-entwining
globule in the upper left evokes a consciousness. Overall, it conjures an
intelligence fluctuating between interior and exterior, dissolving and becoming,
separation and integration, and all the while interacting with other apparent selves
in a realm of flux.

Sources and Kinds of Subject of Art

1. Nature – The natural environment has always been the source and popular subjects used
by the artist. The painter’s observation of and communion with nature is always a convenient
and ever available subject throughout the ages. Van Gogh’s Starry Night is a good example.

2. Animals – Most primitive paintings and sculpture are about animals. Either the graceful
movements or he brute strength of certain animals continued to attract and inspire painters
and sculptors. Albrecht Durer’s The Rhinoceros is an example.

3. History – Traditionally, historical figures such as rulers, statesmen, leaders,

and heroes were always good subjects for writers, painters, and sculptors.
Throughout the ages, sculptors carved the bust or figures of great men, and many
painters drew the portraits of outstanding leaders to show their admiration and
respect. The statue of Augustus Caesar in the Vatican Museum, Rome is an
example.

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4. Mythology, Legend, and Folklore – Religious and mythical characters are

also the favorite subjects of many artists. The sacred, sublime, and supernatural
character of religion and ancient mythology helps the artist create a sense of awe,
intrigue, and inspiration, which is manifested in his work. The Christian religion
had tremendous influences on artists belonging to the medieval period. The
Medieval masterpieces of art were subjects include Christ, Madonna and Child,
and stories from the New and Old Testaments. These artworks reflected the
power of the Church on European society during the early Middle Ages.
Legendary figures and folk heroes are also good subjects for artists. Literary epic
writers heralded the exploits of legendary figures, such as those of King Arthur. In
our case, we have the epics of Biag ni Lam-ang, Bernardo Carpio, etc. The
exploits of folk heroes, whether part-history or pure fiction, such as Robin Hood,
William Wallace, Sinbad the Sailor, and Darna, are celebrated by artists in either
print or cinema.

5. Everyday Life – Several artists make as subjects people doing ordinary

activities. They have created these activities in painting. Examples are Planting
Rice and Laundry Woman by Fernando Amorsolo.

Content in Art
Content is the meaning that is communicated in an artwork. Content is not the subject or things in the painting.
Content is the communication of ideas, feelings, and reactions that are connected with the subject. When we look at
a painting, its content is what is sensed instead of what can be analyzed. Content is the ultimate reason for creating
art. Something in the painting must appeal or speak to the heart, spirit, and soul of the viewer, which is called
emotional content; it is the “why” of any artwork. Form is the development and configuration of an artwork, that is, the
process it has been through until it becomes a visible work of art; it is the “how” of any artwork. Form answers the
question of how the artist uses the medium and techniques to come up with an artwork.

There are three levels in the meaning of the content of art:

1. Factual – The literal statement or the narrative content in the work that can be directly apprehended because
the objects presented are easily recognized.
2. Conventional – It refers to the special meaning that a certain object or color has a particular culture or group
of people.
3. Subjective – Any personal meaning consciously or unconsciously conveyed by the artist by using a private
symbolism that stems from his association of certain objects, actions, or colors with past experiences.

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