Unit 2: Subject and Content Flashcards
a term used for whatever is represented in a work of art.
Subject
refers to any identifiable object, individual, thing, place or event illustrated in a work of art.
Subject
answers the question “what is it?”
Subject
Subjects could be derived from…
imagination, dreams, and other experiences
What do you call those arts with subjects?
Objective or Representational Art
What do you call those arts that do not have subjects?
Non-objective or Non-representational art
answers “what is it about?”
Content
It tries to analyze the meaning of an artwork.
Content
Meanings could be:
Factual
Conventional
Subjective
analyzes an artwork solely on what is presented and seen. It is the literal statement or the narrative content in the work which can be directly apprehended because the
objects presented are easily recognized.
Factual Meaning
centers on what is already an
accepted meaning: a custom or standard. It also refers to the special meaning that a certain object or color has to a particular culture or group of people.
Conventional Meaning
comes from the viewer
of the art: what the artwork implies; the emotions transmitted and received by the viewer; or a
story that an artwork might narrate to the viewer.
Subjective meaning
Kinds and Sources of Subjects:
Landscape
Seascape
Cityscape
Animals
Portrait, bust or human figures
Everyday life
Characters and scenes/events from Legends
Mythological and Religious characters, scenes/events (Mythology and Religion)
Historical events
Still life
are land formation, with or without people or animals. Examples of these are painting of mountain, volcano, field, parks, gardens, etc.
Landscape
are water forms, with or without people or animals. This subject includes seas, lakes, rivers, streams and other water formations whether natural or artificial.
Seascape
are scenes in the cities such as tall buildings, or highways.
Cityscapes
This is a subject used in many art forms. It is oftentimes represented to show its
importance or use to people or used as a symbol.
Animals
can be any representation of a person whether it be a sculpture, a painting or photography, in which the face is the main theme. It usually depicts the sitter head-and-shoulders, half-length, or full-body.
Portrait
focuses on the human body, nude or clothed, while emphasis is given on grace and proportion of the human form.
Human figure
a representation of people going about their usual ways, performing their usual tasks.
Everyday life
It depicts various observations on mundane tasks, daily struggles, and an assortment of emotional and life concerns.
Everyday life
This kind of subject is derived from imaginary accounts. These stories are used in art forms to convey and impart values attached to these stories.
Characters and scenes/events from Legends
Faith, beliefs, religious icons, gods and goddesses, all these are utilized as subjects of art. It could
be used to show beliefs and practices of religious organizations or practices that have been handed
down from generation to generation.
Mythological and Religious characters, scenes/events (Mythology and Religion)
These include memorable and significant events in history.
Historical events
These are inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting like flower and fruits
arrangement, dishes on a dining table, pots and pans on a kitchen table, or musical instruments and
music sheets.
Still Life
