Chp3
Chapter Three: The Themes of Art
CHAPTER OVERVIEW • • • • • • Representing Nature Representing Everyday Life Making Things and Creating Space Representing the Spiritual Representing the Mind Representing the Beautiful
Works in Progress Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon The Critical Process Thinking about the Themes of Art: Robert Mapplethorpe’s Parrot Tulip CHAPTER OBJECTIVES This Chapter Will: • • • • • provide an overview of the varied themes in art, from genre to fantasy discuss the human desire to find pleasure in the representation of everything – from the mundane scenes of everyday life, to images that attempt to capture the spiritual and the sublime specify the difference between objective and subjective representation introduce the conceptual and philosophical concerns of aesthetics present how artists represent the world to preserve that which is transient, or to isolate and/or amplify that which they find beautiful
KEY TERMS aesthetic; aesthetics genre painting, subjective objective, Surrealism Impressionism vanitas
LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS 1. Themes in Art are Themes in Life This chapter introduces students to some of the basic terms of the language of art, the various themes of art, and issues debating the definition of art as it is known by Western cultures. Open the discussion by having students name people, places, and things. Arrange their answers in lists to provide some of the themes in art. For example: kings and queens (court portraits); presidents (political portraits); farm workers (genre) and so on. This association will emphasize how artists make art about life. Pose questions such as: Why do artists usually work in one theme? What theme would you choose to represent? 2. Realism and Reality: Representing the Mind Claude Monet’s The Regatta at Argenteuil (fig. 39) is a classic example of the Impressionist style. Discuss the art movement of Impressionism as both psychological and physical states of interpretation. Emphasize to
CHAPTER OVERVIEW • • • • • • Representing Nature Representing Everyday Life Making Things and Creating Space Representing the Spiritual Representing the Mind Representing the Beautiful
Works in Progress Pablo Picasso’s Les Demoiselles d’Avignon The Critical Process Thinking about the Themes of Art: Robert Mapplethorpe’s Parrot Tulip CHAPTER OBJECTIVES This Chapter Will: • • • • • provide an overview of the varied themes in art, from genre to fantasy discuss the human desire to find pleasure in the representation of everything – from the mundane scenes of everyday life, to images that attempt to capture the spiritual and the sublime specify the difference between objective and subjective representation introduce the conceptual and philosophical concerns of aesthetics present how artists represent the world to preserve that which is transient, or to isolate and/or amplify that which they find beautiful
KEY TERMS aesthetic; aesthetics genre painting, subjective objective, Surrealism Impressionism vanitas
LECTURE AND DISCUSSION TOPICS 1. Themes in Art are Themes in Life This chapter introduces students to some of the basic terms of the language of art, the various themes of art, and issues debating the definition of art as it is known by Western cultures. Open the discussion by having students name people, places, and things. Arrange their answers in lists to provide some of the themes in art. For example: kings and queens (court portraits); presidents (political portraits); farm workers (genre) and so on. This association will emphasize how artists make art about life. Pose questions such as: Why do artists usually work in one theme? What theme would you choose to represent? 2. Realism and Reality: Representing the Mind Claude Monet’s The Regatta at Argenteuil (fig. 39) is a classic example of the Impressionist style. Discuss the art movement of Impressionism as both psychological and physical states of interpretation. Emphasize to
Links: for this chapter include: CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS: Jorn Utzon is featured at an extraordinary site called Great Buildings Online—" a gateway to architecture from around the world and across history. Great Buildings Online documents hundreds of buildings and leading architects with 3D models, photographic images and architectural drawings, plus commentaries, bibliographies, and web links, for famous designers and structures of all kinds." Jorn Utzon is cited in your book for his remarkable Sydney Opera House (fig. 63). At this site, you 'll be able to see a larger detail of the opera house, as well as other Utzon buildings. GALLERIES AND MUSEUMS: Picasso 's Homepage is worth a visit. In addition to informative text and biographical materials, you can view an extensive collection of images painted throughout his career. Viewing the work of this prolific artist, one begins to understand how Picasso helped to shape the direction of all twentieth century art. Other Suggested Websites: Claude Monet’s art and life are showcased at www.giverny.org. Kane Kwei’s fantasy coffins are on view at www.artsonthepoint.com/fantasy_coffins/creators.html. The Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, America 's first art museum dedicated to the work of a woman artist of international stature showcases the work, including themes of nature at www.tfaoi.com/okeefe/okeefe.htm Visit Pablo Picasso’s famous painting Les Demoiselles d’Avignon at www.moma.org/collection/paintsculpt/picasso.demoiselles.html and other works of art located in numerous exhibitions at artcyclopedia at www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/picasso_pablo.html Beauty information and all its cultural ramifications is provided at http://www.beautyworlds.com/ or http://www.cichon.de/ideal-beauty/ Vanitas and the contemporary interpretations of this theme is presented at www.vmfa.state.va.us/vanitas.html Suggested Videos: Videos and other resources are available for purchase through any of the distributors listed in the Resources section of this manual. Wild Wheels: Art Cars (aesthetics and the creative process) America’s Weirdest Homes (aesthetics and the creative process) Pieces of the Past (the authentication of ancient art by archaeologists and art historians) Sandpainting: Navajo (non-western aesthetics) African Art (non-western aesthetics) Claude Monet: Portrait of an Artist Impressionists on the Seine (Monet, Pissarro, Manet, Renoir) Norman Rockwell, Painting America (genre) The Definitive Dali (Surrealism) John James Audubon (nature/birds) Mary Cassatt (genre; Impressionism) Pablo Picasso: A Primitive Soul (biography) They Drew Fire: Combat Artists of WWII (genre/politics)