Module 3: Subject and Content of Art

Introduction
This topic discusses the subject of art, which is a dynamic and forceful as man’s way of
life, culture, and imagination. The subject and content of art never comes to an end and is never
fully worn out and exhausted. The clearness and simplicity of the subject is vital since the
content of the art is the soul of every artistic creation of masterpiece (Panisan, 2018).

Learning Outcomes
At the end of the topic, you are expected to:
a. differentiate content from subject
b. classify artworks according to subject
c. analyze how artists present their subjects in in relation to the real subject.
d. describe the sources and kinds of art

Learning Content

What are the subjects of arts?

SUBJECT—refers to any person, object, scene or event described or represented in a work of
art.
In general, the subject of an artwork is anything under the sun.

1. REPRESENTATIONAL/OBJECT ARTS
--are artworks that depict something easily recognized by most people.
They attempt to copy something that is real. It also attempts to portray the subject as it is.

Examples:
1. Still Life is a work of art depicting mostly inanimate subject matter.

artifactory.com template.net

2. Portrait is a painting, drawing, photograph or engraving of a person.

 Painting Drawing Photograph
study.com

3.Landscape, Seascapes, Moonscapes and Cityscapes

PAINTING

fineartamerica.com myasianart.com

Rice Fields, Michael Jadach Seascape Oil Painting, Manlangit

Moonscape// Oil on Canvas- Sophie Aurelia
etsy.com Young

4. Mythology and Religion, Dreams and Fantasies

myartprints.com

asgam.com

Giulio Romano, wall painting of the Olympian

gods, courtesy Palazzo del Te in Mantua Manila,Philippine
2. NON-REPRESENTATIONAL OR NON-OBJECTIVE ARTS
-- are artworks that have no resemblance to any real subject. They do not represent anything and
they are what they are. They rather appear directly to the senses primarily because of the
satisfying organization of their sensuous and expensive elements

 Non-Objective, @Pinterest  Non-Objective, Vasily  Non-Objective, @Pinterest

Kandinsky

Source of
Subjects
 Nature
 Histor
y
 Greek
and
Roman Mythology
 Judeo-Christian Tradition
 Sacred Oriental Texts
 Other Works of Art

Types of Art Subject

1. Still Life – a drawing or painting of an arrangement of non-moving or non-living objects
usually set indoors such as bowl or vase.
vggallery.com

1. Self- portrait – a painting, drawing, sculpture or other

work of art showing the artist himself.

Artsy.com

2. Religious Theme – art which subject is of religious matter.

 Etsy.com

4. Non-objective – art which the visual signs are entirely imaginative and not from anything
seen by the artist.

atsy.com

5. Landscape – a picture of natural outdoor scenery such as mountains, rivers, fields or forest.

pinterest.com

6. Genre – art that has a subject matter that concerns with everyday life, domestic scenes,
sentimental family relationship, etc.

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7. Visionary Expression – art that involves simplification and rearrangement of natural objects
to meet the needs or artistic expression.
 pinterest.com

8. Portrait – an art showing a person or several people, usually show just the face and shoulders
but it can include all parts of the body.

en.wikipedia.org

Methods of Presenting the Art Subject

1. Realism – It is the attempt to portray the
subject as is. The artist selects, changes, and
arranges details to express the idea he
wants to make clear. The artist main
function is to describe accurately what is
observed through the senses.

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2. Symbolism – The presentation of an invisible
sign such as an idea or a quality into something
visible.

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3. Fauvism – Themes are either ethical, philosophical, or psychological. Subjects express

comfort, joy or happiness.
 Charing Cross Bridge, London by Andre Derain The Dance by: Henri Matisse

4. Dadaism – A protest movement formed in 1967 by a group of artists in Zurich,

Switzerland.

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5. Futurism – Its works aims to capture the speed and force of modern industrial society
and to glorify the mechanical energy of modern life

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6. Surrealism – It tries to reveal a new and higher reality than that of daily life. They aim to
create a magical world more beautiful than the real one through art.
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7. Abstraction – “Abstract” means to move away or separate. Abstract art moves away
from showing things as they really are.

slideshare.net

Types of
Abstraction
1. Distortion –
The subject is
in misshaped
condition

painted by Henriatta Harris henriettaharris.com

2. Elongation – The subject is

lengthened for protraction or
extension.

lorigordon.wordpress.com
pinterest.com

3. Mangling – Subjects are either cut, lacerated, mutilated, or hacked.

 slideshare.net slideshare.net

4. Cubism – Subjects are shown in basic geometrical

shapes.

slideshare.net

Content in Art
1. Subject – refers to any person, object, scene or event describe or represented in a work of art;
the “WHAT”

2. Content – the meaning that is communicated by the artist or the artwork; the “WHY”

1. Form – the development and configuration of the art work – how the elements and the
medium or material are put together; “HOW”

Assessment Task
I. MULTIPLE CHOICES
DIRECTIONS: Read and analyze the questions. Encircle the letter of the correct answer.
1. When the pigment of color is applied on a surface, what is the resulting artwork?
a. photography c. tapestry
b. mosaic d. painting
2. An architectural is designed and constructed in consideration of the following of which
aspects of life?
a. social and economic c. technological and geographical
b. political and ideological d. all of the above
3. Which of the element of visual art refers to the surface characteristics of an object and is best
appreciated when touched?
a. value c. form
b. texture d. color
4. This art form is the most personal of all art forms because of the nature of its main medium.
 a. music c. drama
b. dance d. cinema
5. Art is usually a representation of reality. Hence it is often referred to us _______________
a. communicative c. imitative
b. product d. expressive
6. What do we call the graphic image resulted by the duplicating process?
a. photography c. print
b. image d. copy
7. Which of the following refers to the material out of which the art is made of?
a. subject c. content
b. medium d. style
8. When we combined all the art forms. What type of performing art did we produce?
a. music c. film
b. dance d. theater
9. When we add and subtract to any materials to form new a design or object, what do we do?
a. painting c. filming
b. sculpture d. architecture
10. Which element of art is the easiest to notice?
a. line c. value
b. form d. color

II. FILL IN THE BLANKS

DIRECTIONS: Read the following statements carefully. Identify what is being described in
the statement and write your answer on the space before the number.
_____________________1. It deals with the learning or understanding and creating artworks
and enjoying them.
_____________________2. The philosophical thought that means imitating reality.
_____________________3. It is the function of art that is used to affect collective behavior.
_____________________4. It is the study of objects or works of art in their historical
development and stylistic context.
_____________________5. It is an art that is made with the assistance of digital.
_____________________6. It is the function of art when it is being used to provide comfort,
happiness, and convenience to human beings.
_____________________7. These refer to the artworks perceived by seeing which are 2-3
dimensional forms.
_____________________8. It is the projection of object on the retina for a split-second longer
that it is actually there, causing the images blur into illusion of motion.
_____________________9. It is the vocal or instrumental sounds combined to produce a beauty
of form, harmony, and expression of emotion.
_____________________10. It is writing with high artistic qualities.

III. OUTPUT
Applying your drawing skills
Direction: Draw an example of representational and nonrepresentational art in oslo/drawing
paper

References:
Art Perception and Appreciation, Ortiz et al., 1978, pp. 27-32
Alampat; An Introduction to Art Appreciation, Perez, Cayas and Narciso, 2013, pp. 23-25
Cultural Appropriation and the Arts, Young, 2008, pp.