ART APPRECIATION

SUBJECT vs CONTENT
SUBJECT
Refers to the visual focus or
the image that may be
extracted from examining the
artwork

“What do you see, hear, taste

and feel?”
 Can either be representational
or non-representational.

Rene Magritte, The Treachery (or Perfidy) of

Images, 1928–1929. Oil on canvas, 1′ 115–8
″ × 3′ 1″. Los Angeles County Museum
of Art, Los Angeles; surrealism
Piet Mondrian, Composition with Red, Blue,
and Yellow, 1930. Oil on canvas, 1′ 61–8 ″ × 1′
61–8 ″. Kunsthaus, Zurich; de stijl
 Is abstraction representational or non-representational?

Gustav Klimt, (Stoclet Frieze) The Expectation, The Tree of Life, The Embrace,
mosaic, Brussels; 1909
Abstract art
art that does
not attempt to
represent
external reality,
but seeks to
achieve its
effect using
shapes, forms,
colors, and
textures Pablo Picasso Head of a Woman, 1962
Gepolychromeerd/painted sheet metal and iron wire, 32
x 24 x 16 cm Dation Pablo Picasso, 1979
Abstract art is in
itself a
departure from
reality, but the
extent of that
departure
determines
whether it has
reached the end
of the spectrum
which is non-
representational
. Willem de Kooning, Interchange, 1955 oil on
cavass, USD$300M
CONTENT
Refers to the meaning that is
communicated by the artist of
the artwork.

“What is it about?”
3 Levels of Meaning
1. Factual Meaning
2. Conventional Meaning
3. Subjective Meaning
1. Factual Meaning

The most rudimentary 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.
A scene from the Creation Story, particulary
the creation of man.
An example of Biblical art!
2. Conventional Meaning

Pertains to the acknowledged

interpretation of the artwork using
motifs, signs, symbols, and other
cyphers as basis of meaning.
Conventions that are strengthened
through time, recurrent use and
wide acceptance by the viewers or
scholars who study them.
Specific poses of both figures allude that man was
created in the image and likeness of God.
3. Subjective Meaning

Meanings from a viewer’s

circumstances that come into play
when engaging with art.

Meaning derived from what we

know, what we learned, what we
experienced and the values that we
stand for.
Silhouette of the form behind God looks like
a human brain, which signifies how the most
important qualities imparted to man is
intellect. – Dr. Meshberger , Oct 1990 essay
 Sources of Subject
1. NATURE

Ma Yuan, On a
Mountain Path
in Spring,
Southern Song
period, early
13th century.
Album leaf, ink
and colors on
silk, 103–4 ″ ×
1′ 5″.
National Palace
Museum,
Taibei.
2. MYTHOLOGY

Auguste Rodin, The Gates of Hell,

1880–1900 (cast in 1917). Bronze,
20′ 10″ × 13′ 1″. Musee Rodin,
Paris.
3. RELIGIOUS BELIEFS
4. HISTORY

Pablo Picasso, Guernica, 1937. Oil on canvas, 11′ 51–2″ × 25′ 53–4 ″. Museo Nacional Centro de Arte
Reina Sofia, Madrid.
Picasso used Cubist techniques, especially the fragmentation of objects and dislocation of anatomical
features, to expressive effect in this condemnation
of the Nazi bombing of the Basque capital.
ART APPRECIATION

4 Steps in Critiquing
an Artwork
4 STEPS
1. DESCRIBE
2. ANALYZE
3. INTERPRET
4. EVALUATE
MATERIALS FOR NEXT MEETING:

SELF PROTRAIT

1. Cut out facial parts from any magazines (as much as

you can cut)
2. 1/8 Illustration board
3. White glue
4. Marker pen (sharpie)
5. Pencil and eraser
6. Ruler
STEP 1: DESCRIBE

“What do you see?”

Like taking an inventory of what is

seen in the artwork.
Guide questions:

What is the subject and what are the objects?

Are there people? Buildings? Plants? Animals?

What sort of artwork is it? Is it a landscape? A

seascape? A portrait? Still life? Nature? Figures?

What is the media used? Paint, pastel, ink,

wood, marble, bronze?
STEP 2: ANALYZE

Using the dominant elements and

principles of art to reflect upon the
artwork and why the artist used them.
Guide questions:

What kind of lines are present? Jagged?

Curved? Diagonal? Straight?
What shapes? Circles? Squares?
What colors? Bright? Strong? Neutral? Muted?
How is space used? What are in the
foreground, midground or background?
What grabs your attention the most and why?
Do you see any relationship to the things
described in step 1?
Elements of Art

LINE
SHAPE - 2 dimensional
FORM – 3 dimensional
TEXTURE – quality of a surface; may be
real or implied
VALUE/TONE – use of light and dark,
shade or highlight;
COLOR
SPACE
Principles of Art

Emphasis/focal point – the first thing

you see, dominant figure

Contrast - are there any noticeable

differences in light and dark shades;
technique CHIAROSCURO ( light | dark)

Harmony/Unity – wholeness, feeling of

completeness
Balance

Symmetrical – both sides weigh about

the same

Asymmetrical – both sides does not

weigh equally

Radial – elements equally distributed

around a center point
Repetition/Pattern/Rhythm –
consistency of line or color; makes the
artwork seem more active

Variety – the quality of having different

forms, contrast, emphasis, size and color
STEP 3: INTERPRET

Based on the analysis, interpret the

meaning of the artwork.

Use the 3 levels of meaning (factual,

conventional or subjective)
Guide questions:

What is the artwork about? Your own

perspectives or opinions met with the
“evidences” in the artwork.
What is the purpose of the art work? Why did
the artist create this artwork?
What is the artist trying to say?
What is its meaning? Strength, mystery, beauty,
fear, anger, adventure, love, war, madness…
What kind of mood is being portrayed?
Why do you think the artist created this work?
STEP 4: EVALUATE

Based on the interpretation, evaluate

the artwork.

Derive relevance from the artwork to

your own personal life or the society
that you live in.
Guide questions:

What do you think about the artwork? Your

own conclusions about the artwork based on
all information gathered.
What is the value that you find in it? Is it
beautiful? Thought-provoking? Gives an
important social message? Helps us
understand the past?
Does it benefit others? How?
Why do you like or dislike the artwork? Explain.
Group
Activity
Critiquing a work of art

On a 1 whole sheet of paper, critique the painting

assigned per step. Write down the title of the
painting, the artist and the names of all
members.

Note:
Step 1-2 Describe and Analyze
(include the source of subject.)

Step 3. Identify also the level of meaning

(must not be factual only) and the function of
art.