Lesson 9: THEMES AND

SUBJECT MATTER
 SUBJECT MATTER
• Subject in the arts refers to what they are all about .
• It is the main idea that represents the artwork.
• Subject Matter shows the essence of a certain piece .
• We use our basic senses to identify subject matter;
answering the questions: What do I see? How does it smell?
How was the texture? How do I hear it?
• Subject Matters are stated often as a simple noun phrase.
 IDENTIFY THE
SUBJECT MATTER
 Andres Bonifacio’s
Monument
Dr. Jose P. Rizal’s
Monument at Rizal Park
 THEME
• Are the fundamental and often universal ideas of artworks
• It is the deeper message a certain artworks wants to depict

• Themes are usually about life, society and human nature

• Usually stated as an issue and something to be
argumentative (claim) – which is always dependent to
the artist.
Examples of
THEME
HEROISM AND
IDENTITY
HEROISM AND
ECOLOGY
SPIRITUALITY AND
EVERDAY LIFE