Content

in
ART

UNIT 1 : Lesson 6
What is CONTENT?
• The emotional intellectual message of a
work of art is its content - a statement,
expression, or mood developed by the
artist and interpreted by the observer.
 What are the CONTENTS
or MEANINGS in ART?

FACTUAL CONVENTIONAL SUBJECTIVE

MEANIN MEANING MEANING
G
1 FACTUAL MEANING

The most BASIC level of meaning for it

may be extracted from
the identifiable or recognizable
forms in the artwork and
understanding how these elements relate to
one another.
2 CONVENTIONAL MEANING

This pertains to the acknowledged

interpretation of the artwork
using MOTIFS, SIGNS, and
SYMBOLS as bases
of its meaning.
3 SUBJECTIVE MEANING

A VARIETY OF MEANINGS that

may arise when a particular
work of art is read. There are
VARIED INTERPRETATIONS
possible for one particular artwork.
 FACTUAL
MEANING
On the first level of
analysis, we may
come to its factual
meaning that this
painting relates to
The Creation of Adam - Michaelangelo
the creation story of
the Bible.
 CONVENTIONAL MEANING

The conventional
meaning that man is
created in the image
and likeness of God.
We can see the

The Creation of Adam - Michaelangelo

symbolism behind
the mirroring pose
of God and Adam.
 SUBJECTIVE MEANING

An interesting interpretation of
the painting is the endowment of
intellect of man from God.
God is giving to Adam the
intellect, so man is able to plan
the best and highest and to try all
The Creation of Adam - Michaelangelo things received.
Thank you for listening!

Don't hesitate to ask any questions!