Exploring Subjects in Art

Meanings, Kinds, and Functions of Art Subjects

• The appeal of most works of art lies in the representation of familiar objects.
• People enjoy art by recognizing the subject or understanding the narrative content.
• The subject of art refers to any person, object, scene, or event described or represented in a work of art.
• Representational or objective arts, such as painting, sculpture, graphic arts, literature, and theatre arts, have a subject.
• Non-representational or non-objective arts, such as music, architecture, and many functional arts, do not have a subject.
• Program music is a type of music that has a subject.
• Program music is a musical composition that represents or describes a specific subject.
• The artist chooses the subject of their art.
• The subject can be anything the artist wants to depict or explore.
• The subject can be the ugly or tragic aspects of life.
• The subject is different from the content of the artwork.
• The subject gives the viewer or audience something to recognize or understand in the artwork.