ART APPRECIATION

SUBJECT AND CONTENT

• Representational art and non-representation art

• Artworks and it’s content
• Subject matter and content of specific examples
of art
• Sources of the subject of some of the most
recognizable works of art in Philippine art history
David Bailly “Selbstbildnsis mit vanitassymbolen”(Self-Portrait with
Vanitas Symbols),(1651). Oil on pnael Stedelijk Museum De
Lakenhal, Leiden
What is the moral message of the story
behind the painting of vanitas still life?
His vanitas paintings included the usual symbols of the transience and
impermanence of human life, such as skulls, flowers, and burning or
extinguished candles. He also included portraits of himself in these
paintings, meaning to illustrate the ephemeral nature of his own artistic
accomplishments.

• The word vanitas is Latin for "vanity" and that is the idea behind a
vanitas painting. They were created to remind us that our vanity or
material possessions and pursuits do not preclude us from death,
which is inevitable. The phrase comes to us courtesy of a biblical
passage in Ecclesiastes.
In the arts, there are observable qualities that the artwork holds that will point to its
subject, and sometimes even to its content.

In order to flesh out what the subject of the artwork is, it is important to first look at
the constituents figures that are perceivable on the surface of the canvas or the
sculpture, and the manner in which the artist chose to depict those figures.

From these , the type of subject can be inferred.

 Type of Subject
• Iconic and recognizable paintings all over the world

Mona Lisa
Leonardo da Vinci
Some questions are often raised regarding this artwork
Who is Mona Lisa?
Why was Leonardo da Vinci compelled to paint her?
As scholars attemptto solve the true identity of the sitter, it is
relevant to note that there is a consensus that the Mona Lisa-
whoever she is- is based on a real person.

Representational Art
Portraits Mona Lisa are good examples of representational art
These types of art have subjects that refer to objects or
events occurring in the real world.

It is also termed figurative art , as the name suggests, the

figures depicted are easy to make out and decipher.
 Despite not knowing who Mona lisa is, it is clear that the painting is a
woman that is realistically-proportioned:
 only the upper torso is shown:
 beguiling and mysterious smile is flashed:
 that the background is landscape-probably a view from a window
 Non-Representational Art

Jackson Pollock Number 1A, 1948 1948 ; Medium: Oil

and enamel paint on canvas
Non-Representational Art and Abstract
Art

Pablo Picasso, “Head of a Woman, Mougins” (1962),

Metal cut-out folded and painted
 Sources and Kinds of Subjects

Die Ebene Von Auvers (1890) - Vincent van Gogh

His depression continued and on 27 July 1890, Van Gogh shot
himself in the chest with a Lefaucheux revolver. He died from his
injuries two days later. Van Gogh ...
A Cockchafer, Beetle, Woodlice and other Insects,