Sources of Subjects

In discussing the sources and kinds of

subject in artworks, it is important to note
that these two are often inextricably related.
Often, a single source of inspiration can yield
multiple translations.
Nature
There is nothing more fundamental than human
interaction with the physical world around the artist. Early
childhood often revolves around getting to know not just
the body and what it can do, but also in getting
accustomed to a multitude of sensory prompts around the
artist especially those situated in his environment.
 He saw art and nature as
inseparable, often finding
solace and happiness in
painting in it and painting
from it.

“…if I felt no love for nature and

my work, then I would be
unhappy.”
-letter to his brother, Theo
Claude Monet Camille Pissaro Paul Cézanne JMW Turner
Fernando Amorsolo Fabian de la Rosa
-Breaking nature into smaller
parts is Jan Van Kessel the
Elder who did numerous still
lives and small-scale, highly
detailed studies, and
scientific illustrations of
flowers, insects, shells, fruits,
garlands, and bouquets.
Greek and Roman Mythology

From narrations in Literature, artists on the other hand gave

faces to Greek and Roman deities or the gods and goddesses
whose fates are seemingly as tragic as those of men. Some of
the art forms they took on were wall paintings or frescos and
sculptural works such as busts, statuaries, and ceramics and
pottery, among others.
The Discobolus of Myron is a Greek
sculpture completed at the start of
the Classical Period, figuring a
youthful ancient Greek athlete
throwing discus, circa 460–450
BC. The original Greek bronze is
lost but the work is known through
numerous Roman copies, both full-
scale ones in marble, which was
cheaper than bronze.
 Judeo-Christian Tradition

The Judeo-Christian tradition stems from a belief in a lone creator of the universe.

MONOTHEISM

This tradition had an immense influence in western civilization especially in art.

Literature and Sacred Texts

-India’s miniature paintings

-deeply rooted in Vedic texts such as Upanishads,
Puranas, Sanskrit epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
Lord Krishna
History

-Historically significant events particularly in the

affairs of humanity are abundant references for art
production.
Spolarium by Juan Luna
Kinds of Subject
Liberty Leading the People,
by Eugène Delacroix, 1830

History
Still Life, Juan Sánchez
Cotán

Still Life
 Bull, Cave art,
Lascaux, Montignac
and Dordogne

Animals
Left: Constantin Brancusi –
Princesse X, 1920
Right: Jamie McCartney –
Penis Wall

Figures
Water Lilies -
Claude Monet

Nature
Looking Down Yosemite
Valley - Albert Bierstadt

Landscape
Katsushika
Hokusai: The wave

Seascape
The Coast of Normandy at
Night by Leonid Afremov

Cityscape
Peter Paul Ruben, The
Head of the Medusa, c.
1618

Mythology
Johann Heinrich Füssli -
The Nightmare

Dreams
Phoenix, by Kirk
Reinert

Fantasy