Art Fundamentals: Subject, Form, and Content

Types of Art

• Nature: focuses on specific natural elements
• Portraiture: an image of a person, animal, or group
• Abstract: non-representational work of art

Levels of Meaning

• Factual Meaning: literal statement or narrative content
• Conventional Meaning: special meaning carried by an object or color, specific to a culture or group
• Subjective Meaning: personal meaning conveyed by the artist through private symbolism

Artist and Artisan

• Artist: works with hands, head, and heart; creative individuals who use imagination and skills to communicate in an art form
• Artisan: physical worker who makes objects with their hands; can be a master artisan with apprentices
• Artisan Guilds: social fellowships with rules, customs, rights, and responsibilities, prevalent during the Middle Ages

Artist and Studio

• Artist claims authorship by affixing their mark on their work
• Studio: personal space of the artist, can be a small room (studiolo) or a workshop (bottega)

Prominent Roles in the World of Art

• Art Fair Director: responsible for implementing and enhancing strategic goals
• Art Handler: works directly with objects in museums, galleries, and other venues
• Artist: produces art
• Collector: collects art, professionally or as a hobby
• Critic: critiques or judges art
• Gallery Assistant: aids staff with administrative and creative tasks
• Gallery Director: responsible for the gallery's operations and direction

Basic Components of a Work of Art

• Subject: visual focus or image extracted from an artwork
• Content: meaning communicated by the artist or the artwork
• Form: development and configuration of the artwork

Types of Art Representation

• Representational Art: represents objects or events in the real world, easily recognizable
• Abstract Art: exists on a continuum from somewhat representational to far removed from actual world appearance
• Non-Representational Art: most extreme form of abstract art, not connected to the visible world

Artistic Influences

• Medium
• Time
• Patronage
• Development in science and technology

Explore the basics of art with this quiz! Learn about the subject, form, and content of a work of art, and how they contribute to its meaning and representation. Discover the differences between representational and other art styles.