Art Appreciation

Neil John Miralles Ceña BS Architecture I-I

Critique Paper on the Definitions of Art Through Time

Defining art and containing all its ideals, philosophies, facets, forms, and functions is a
herculean or rather an almost impossible task. Critiquing the definitions of art through time can
be done with justice only through careful consideration of why and when such a definition was
created. It is unwise to judge an art definition as insufficient, narrow, practical, liberal, or
rebellious without understanding the background of such a definition.

Aristotle defines art as realization of a true idea in physical form. Such a definition, however
seems to be limited to visual arts that are enjoyed using the eyesight. Time arts such as music
and highly-abstracted poetry may not fit the ‘physical’ nature of art in his words. Plato, on the
other hand, qualifies art as ‘imitation’ of events or objects of ordinary life. Such definition
excludes the expression of transcendental concepts like GOD or abstraction of reality and
fantasy.

During the prehistoric period, art was mere recorder of events that narrates observable
happenings like the eruption of volcano and the hunting of animals of hunters. Art then was
crudely representational, narrative, and practical. Nothing questionable there as the sole goal of
our ancestors then was to survive. Asian Art, on the other hand, captures the description, “art
as byproduct of many types of art produced by the advanced cultures of Asian societies”. These
words entail that--- it is the cultured, skilled, and perhaps educated that can produce a work of
art. Others have different forms of writing as those of Ancient China and Egypt. Writing then
wasn’t a common skill but a privilege afforded to freemen and nobility. Hence, art experience
then was anchored on the socio-political landscape.

The definition of art as the years went on became more and more human, expressive and open.
Baroque Art, as an example, is characterized by over emphasis of emotions and message.
Economic breakthroughs that made the world closer paved the way to various media including
sculpture, tapestries, stained glass, metal work and mosaics. Art, during this era, is defined as
exploration of various materials, objects, subjects, and possible functionalities.

During the Renaissance period, art was defined as the creation of beautiful, meaningful and
groundbreaking compositions, paintings, sculpture, and plays. It was followed by Rococo period
that featured the use of soft colors and curvy lines, and depicted scenes of love, passion, nature
or idyllic scenes, and light-hearted amusement. Art then was seen as a mirror of humans of
worldly nature. Therefore, art follows the events and transformations of society and the world.

Fast-forward to Neo-classicism. Art invoked harmony, clarity, restraint, and universality and
idealism. Art here embraced the abstract, the great magnitude of concepts and subjects that
could be translated to arts. Lastly, during romanticism, art focused on emotions, feelings and
moods of all kinds including spirituality, imagination, mystery and fervor. The subject matter
varied widely including landscapes, religion, revolution and peaceful beauty. This time, art
became more human and complex. This is what I consider growth and change.