ART APPRECIATION 20th century and the principles of art
and design (balance, rhythm, harmony,
ART – The expression or application of human unity) were used to define and assess
creative skill and imagination, typically in a art.
visual form such as painting or sculpture,
producing works to be appreciated primarily for HISTORY OF ART
their beauty or emotional power.
ANCIENT ART
ETYMOLOGY [] Venus of Willendorf
• Art is related to the Latin word ‘ars’- [] Caves of Lascaux
which means art, skill or craft. [] Lion Hunt. Mosaic from Pella.
• The first known use of the word comes [] Alexander the Great, wearing a kausia and
from 13th century manuscripts. fighting an Asiatic lion with his friend Craterus
3 GENERAL CATEGORIES OF ART EGYPTIAN ART
1.) Art as Representation [] Carving Stone
2.) Art as Expression of Emotional Content [] Tutankhamun Tomb
3.) Art as Form [] Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Landscape with the
Flight into Egypt - 1563
Art as Representation
Plato first developed the idea of art as MEDIEVAL ART
mimesis in Greek meaning copying or [] Madonna and Child with Saint Jerome and
imitation. Hence, the primary meaning Saint John the Baptist
of art was for centuries defined as the Painting by Cima da Conegliano
representation or replication of [] Hagia Sophia, a Christian Church during
something that is beautiful or Byzantine Empire, Justinaian I
meaningful.
RENAISSANCE ART (14th – 17th century)
Art as Expression of Emotional Content - Focus on celebrating the human
Expression became important during individual, rather than entirely on
the Romantic Movement with artwork religion as it had during medieval Era.
expressing a definite feeling as in the
sublime or dramatic. Audience response Characteristics of Renaissance Art
was important for artwork was 1. Realism and focus on humans
intended to evoke an emotional 2. Accurate Perspective
response. 3. Natural Background
4. Light and Shadowing
i.e. Liberty leading people, Wanderer above the
sea fog, The lady of Shallot [] Creation of Adam and David
[] Mona Lisa
Art as Form [] The last supper
Immanuel Kant, influential theorist at
the end of 18th century, believed that Baroque 17th to 18th century
should be judged only on its formal • Stemmed from Italian word for
qualities because the content of the “contorted idea”
work of art is not of aesthetic interest. • Emphasizes faith in church and power in
Formal qualities became important state
when art became more abstract in the • Dramatic contrasts of lights and darks
• Emotional, often religious depictions • Master builders (grand monuments and
• Feelings of grandeur, awe, movement - architectural infrastructure.)
and tension
• Hidden sources of light [] The Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs is a
porphyry sculpture group of four Roman
Rococo (18th century) emperors dating from around 300 AD.
• Emphasizes goals of knowledge, [] The Alexander Mosaic depicting the Battle of
freedom, happiness Issus between Alexander the Great & Darius III
• Pastel, light, soft colors of Persia, from the House of the Faun in
• Feelings of playfulness, happiness, Pompeii
romance
• Scattered light ASSUMPTIONS OF ART, CREATIVITY. AND
IMAGINATION
Ancient Greece - man was at center of society
and how they trained their minds could be the ASSUMPTIONS
very foundation of how they lived their lives is a thing that is accepted as true or as
certain to happen, without proof.
Four periods:
ASSUMPTIONS OF ART
1. Geometric Period - time when Greece
was starting to get back from the 1. ART IS UNIVERSAL
onslaught (Dark Ages) - Art has no limit, and it rises above
- period of geometric shape and patterns cultures, races, and civilization. It is
2. Archaic Period - place importance of timeless because it goes beyond the
human figures time of our own existence.
- Trading activities with other civilization
3. Classical Period - rebuilding temples 2. ART IS NOT NATURE
and focusing creating artworks - Nature is not art. Art is created by man
4. Hellenistic Period - focus on showcasing and nature by God. However, nature
emotions and depicting reality can be enhanced by man and could
then be classified as art.
[] Aphrodite of Melos is an ancient Greek - We cannot even compare art
sculpture that was created during the with nature because the latter is
Hellenistic period something mysterious and it is made by
[] The Artemision Bronze is an ancient Greek the Divine Providence whose depth and
sculpture that was recovered from the sea off mystery is beyond human
Cape Artemision understanding.
ANCIENT ROME 3. ART INVOLVES EXPERIENCE
- Art is a depiction of our experiences. It
The Romans were fond of the Greek and their demands taking part. Every art does
achievements in art. something with some physical material,
• The fusion of Greek and Roman cultures the body or something outside the
can be seen in most Roman Artworks body, thus, the only way to find
• Romans produce artworks that are conviction and assertion is through
often looking stern, harsh and strong immersion in the Arts.
• Invoke principles of realism highlighting
feature of human beings
FUNCTIONS OF ART 12. What time of day/night is it? How can we
1. Personal tell?
2. Social 13. What is the overall visual effect or mood of
3. Cultural Function the work(s)?
4. Aesthetic Function
5. Spiritual Function Analyze: Mentally separate the parts or
elements, thinking in terms of textures,
CREATIVITY IMAGINATION shapes/forms, light/dark or bright/dull colors,
It is doing something Thinking of types of lines, and sensory qualities. In this step
meaningful with your something – whether consider the most significant art principles that
imagination. it is an object, place, were used in the artwork. Describe how the
time, etc., that is not artist used them to organize the elements.
present.
1. How has the artist used colors in the work(s)?
Using imagination to Imagination is about 2. What sort of effect do the colors have on the
unleash the potential seeing the artwork?
of existing ideas in impossible, or unreal. 3. How as the artist used shapes within the
order to create new work of art?
and valuable ones. 4. How have lines been used in the work(s)? Has
the artist used them as an important or
dominant part of the work, or do they play a
different roll?
FOUR STEPS IN ART CRITICISM 5. What role does texture play in the work(s)?
(DAIJ) Has the artist used the illusion of texture or has
the artist used actual texture? How has texture
Describe: Tell what you see (Visual Facts) been used within the work(s).
6. How has the artist used light in the work(s)?
1. What is the name of the artist who created Is there the illusion of a scene with lights and
the artwork? shadows, or does the artist use light and dark
2. What kind of an artwork is it? values in a more abstracted way?
3. What is the name of the artwork? 7. How has the overall visual effect or mood of
4. When was the artwork created? the work(s)? been achieved by the use of
5. Name some other major events in history elements of art and principles of design.
that occurred at the same time this artwork was 8. How were the artists design tools used to
created. achieve a particular look or focus?
6. List the literal objects in the painting (trees,
people, animals, mountains, rivers, etc.). Interpretation: An interpretation seeks to
7. What do you notice first when you look at the explain the meaning of the work based on what
work(s)? Why? you have learned so far about the artwork,
8. What kinds of colors do you see? How would what do you think the artist was trying to say?
you describe them?
9. What shapes can we see? What kind of edges 1. What was the artist’s statement in this work?
do the shapes have? 2. What do you think it means?
10. Are there lines in the work(s)? If so, what 3. What does it mean to you?
kinds of lines are they? 4. How does this relate to you and your life?
11. What sort of textures do you see? How 5. What feelings do you have when looking at
would you describe them? this artwork?
6. Do you think there are things in the artwork
that represent other things-symbols?
7. Why do you think that the artist chose to
work in this manner and made these kinds of
artistic decisions?
8. Why did the artist create this artwork?
Judgment: After careful observation, analysis,
and interpretation of an artwork, you are ready
to make your own judgment. This is your
personal evaluation based on the
understandings of the work(s).
1. Why do you think that this work has intrinsic
value or worth? What is the value that you find
in the work(s)? (For example, it is a beautiful
work of art, conveys an important social
message, affects the way that I see the world,
makes insightful connections, reaffirms a
religious belief, etc.)
2. Do you think that the work(s) has a benefit
for others? Do you find that the work
communicates an idea, feeling or principle that
would have value for others?
3. What kind of an effect do you think the work
could have for others?
4. Does the work lack value or worth? Why do
you think this is so? Could the reason you find
the work lacking come from a poor use of the
elements of art? Could the subject matter by
unappealing, unimaginative, or repulsive?
5. Rather than seeing the work as being very
effective or without total value, does the work
fall somewhere in-between? Do you think that
the work is just o.k.? What do you base this
opinion on? The use of elements of art? Lack of
personal expression? The work lacks a major
focus? Explore your criticism of the work (s) as
much as you would any positive perceptions.
Realize that your own tastes and prejudices may
enter into your criticism. Give your positive and
negative perceptions.
