THE SUBJECT OF ART

What is Subject ?

Usual impression in looking at the work of art: -What is it? -What does it show? For most people, the appeal of most work of art lies in the representation of familiar objects

For most people, the enjoyment of art is not so much on the perception of meaning or composition but the satisfaction they get out in recognizing the subject or understanding the narrative content.

Subject

Subject of art refers to any person, object, scene or event described or represented in a work of art. However, there arts with no subject

Arts that have subject are called representational or objective arts Arts with no subject are known as nonrepresentational or non-objective arts

Non-objective arts

Art with no subject and reference to reality Painter may convey message non-objectively such as bright colors convey a happy mood, dark sober mood

Ways of Representing a Subject

Subject matter varies according to the inventiveness and purpose of each artist. These could be done in realistic, abstract or distorted.

Realistic Art

Art that are depicted in the way they would normally appear in nature or reality

Death of Socrates --Jacques David

Realistic Art

Women Ironing by Edgar Degas

The Gleaners
By: Jean-Franois Millet

Abstract Art

Abstraction is the process of simplifying or recognizing objects and elements according to the demands of artistic expression.

The artist selects and renders the objects and their shapes, colors and positions altered and distorted.

Abstract Art

Distorted Art
When the figures have been so arranged that proportions differ noticeably from natural measurements. This could also mean twisting, stretching or deforming the natural shape of the object.

Distorted Art

The Artist and His Choice of Subject

Factors in the Choice of Subject 1. Personal Choice/Personal Statement 2. Medium and availability of material 3. context: time, social factor the artist is in/patronage he gets

Kinds of Subject
1. Landscape, seascape and cityscape -in Europe, it was only in the Renaissance (13th and 14th centuries) when the painting of pure landscapes without human figures began. Before they served only as background to figures.

Kinds of Subject

2. Still Life Inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting

Kinds of Subject

3. Animals Carabao have graced Philippine Christmas cards Maranaws have sarimanok as their proudest prestige symbol Dove symbolizing the holy spirit

Kinds of Subject

4. Portraits

Statues were common among the Romans In the Renaissance, paintings for self portraits became popular in Europe

Kinds of Subject
5. Everyday Life Artist observation of people going about their visual ways, performing their usual tasks. Example: cockfighting, planting rice (Amorsolo), laundrywomen
Ina at Anak by Amorsolo

Kinds of Subject
6. Figures Subject of artist is the human body nude of clothed. The bodys form, structure and flexibility offer the artist a big challenge to depict it in a variety of ways ranging from the most idealistic as the Greek classics to the most abstract like Henry Moores reclining figures.

Early Christian and medieval artist seldom represented the nude figures The figures they use were distorted in order not to call the attention of the sensuous physical shape and distract the mind from spiritual thoughts Renaissance artists awakened an interest in the nude figure

Figures

Kinds of Subject
7. History and Legend History consists of verifiable facts, legends of unveriable ones Juan Lunas Blood Compact and Spoliarium Felix Resurrecion Hidalgo the Assassination of Gov. Gen. Fernando Bustamante

Kinds of Subject
8. Religion and Mythology Art always a handmaiden of religion as aid in worship, to instruct, to inspire feelings of devotion and to impress and convert non-believers.

Christian Church commissioned craftsmen to tell stories about Christ and saints in pictures usually in mosaic, murals, stained glass windows in churches. It also resorted to the presentation of tableaux and plays to preach and teach.

Religion and Mythology

Religion and Mythology

Kinds of subject
9. Dreams and Fantasies Artists especially the surrealists tried to depict dreams as well as terrors and apprehensions that lurk in the depths of the subconscious

Subject and Content

Subject refers to the objects depicted by the artist Content refers to what the artist expresses or communicates on the whole of his work

Content is the meaning In literature, it is the theme Content reveals the artists attitude toward his subject

The Ugly and the Tragic in Art

The ugly, grotesque, the tragic are legitimate subjects of art as well as the pleasurable and the beautiful A good number of arts are concerned with pain, grief and evil Wide appeal in depicting the show of human suffering because each of us has a share of grief, frustration or loss one way or another

Group 2

Taghap, Lailanie Senido, Ehla Mae Conde, Jolyne Ann Tecson, Kristine Dianne

Pangilinan, Lorienel Caparas, Rainnalyn Molina, Witie Anne Rezare, Marjori