Philosophy of Art

Definition of Art

• Classificatory definition assigns traits to art to understand its classification
• Mimesis or imitation theory states "Art imitates reality", based on appearance
• Art Movements are period-specific techniques, styles, and themes
• Evaluative approach discovers theory of taste, where taste is subjective based on exposure

Standards of Taste

• Delicacy is where all sense organs perceive ingredients
• Practice involves exposure to works using senses
• Good Sense uses reason and comparison to avoid prejudice

Philosophy of Art

• Emotional Expression is where art evokes emotion
• Art as Form judges art by formal qualities, not conceptual content, prominent in abstract 20th century art
• Contemporary Perspective considers emotional expression, formal qualities, and conceptual content

Fine Art

• "Art for the sake of art" emerged in the 19th century as self-expression
• Differs from commissioned works
• Historically includes painting, sculpture, architecture, music, and poetry

Genius

• The fine arts inherently express genius, but that isn't something able to be taught
• Kant defines genius as originality, unteachable through a set of rules
• Sets standards, inspires others, and leads to art movements

Taste

• Philosophers debate if beauty is objective or subjective
• David Hume first said there is no accounting for taste, later emphasized a uniform standard and believed art should follow rules from artists or genius

Subjective or Objective?

• David Hume believed beauty is in the eye of the beholder, where beauty doesn't exist in objects, and people perceive it differently
• Hume also thought individuals should accept perceptions and beauty needs a collective agreement
• Aristotle believed an object's form determines beauty and his mimesis concept aligned with Plato's idea of art imitating nature, but thought nature didn't imitate the realm of Forms
• The Golden Mean has symmetry, proportion, and harmony

Perspectives on Beauty

• St. Augustine distinguished between divine (ex nihilo) and human creation (ex materia) and that beauty increases as something becomes formed
• Natural beauty is superior to human-made
• St. Thomas Aquinas suggested beauty has objective qualities
• Immanuel Kant says judgments of beauty are feelings-based and aesthetic judgments need to be disinterested
• Formalism dictates that beauty is determined by the object's form and style, but is also partly subjective, as it relies on personal perception
• George Hegel thought art should reflect divine and human freedom

Art Creation

• Hatching involves straight parallel lines
• Cross Hatching has straight parallel lines going in different directions
• Stippling uses small dots and clustering
• Doodling is shading with random squiggly, overlapping lines

Henri Matisse's Color

• Colour is a transformative art element that can take precedence over others
• Fauvist Philosophy uses bright expressive colors
• Emotional and aesthetic impact is favoured over strict realism

Matisse's Colour Thoughts

• Nature is intercepted and has to submit to the spirit of the picture
• A living harmony of colours has to result in the tones, like that of a musical
• Colour has to serve expression as much as possible
• Colour choice is based on observation, sensitivity, and experiences
• All tones have an impelling proportion

Aspects of Colour

• Colour is light perceived through the retina
• Colour perception is influenced by patterns, temperature, and visual phenomena
• Intensity purity affects brightness
• Colours are either warm or cool, based on their dominant surroundings
• Warm colours are warmth, passion and affection
• Cool colours are coldness, aloofness, apathy

Colour Harmony

• It is the pleasing visual effect from combining hues that complement naturally
• Categories of colour harmony are monochromatic, analogous, triadic
• Monochromatic uses only one colour and its variations, which is best for single-subject painting creates automatic focus
• Analogous has colour adjacent to one another on the wheel for a gentle effect that is easy on the eyes
• Triadic has three colours equally spaced visually which is appealing and makes surreal art for advertising

Colour Expression

• Matisse's paintings used pure colours with exposed white canvas to create a luminous atmosphere
• Shading or modelling isn't used, instead areas of pure, unmodulated colour are contrasted to give structure, depth to give volume and structure

Radiance of Sunshine

• The Egyptian Curtain is notable as an example of influence in still life
• In plant tree intensity is created, brushstrokes do this, by adding shape and shadows

Colour Subtlety

• The Blue Window portrays nocturnal atmospheres with subdued light for a mysterious effect
• Green and orange accents are used to create complimentary effects on perfume bottles and flowers
• Expressive vibrant colours are used later to create a dynamic engaging effect

Colour use

• Greens and blues enhance orange's and reds
• Vibrating effect occurs and dynamics occur
• Warm and cool tones direct attention to key areas
• Orange, blue, green, and red enhance contrast
• Primary colours help with fauvism

Properties of Colour

• Hue quality is distinct (determined by colour palletes such as lightness, darkness, and brightness)
• Value affects mood and context (stormy or sunny = dark or light hues)
• Intensity is the purity that needs to match representation

Representation of the Seascapes

• Konstantinos Volanakis, a Greek, and father of Greek painting, captured the Battle of Lissa
• Oil on canvas, realistic yet atmospheric approach and to emphasize the scene, dramatic lighting used

Representation of Landscapes

• (18th Century Rococo)
• Nicolas Lancret, a French who gained fame for depiction of Rococo styled leaisure
• Oil on canvas, delicate brushwork, soft colours, and a lively setting
• Marie Anne de Cupis de Camargo, a famous ballet dancer is shown

Representation of the Portrait

• Johannes Vermeer, an known as the title "Master of Light and Colour - soft and known for using natural light"
• His illuminated face contrasts with the dark background, using chiaroscuro for depth
• An intimate moment is captured in time
• Vermeer's is skilled at the use of light to make her glow
• Made light with expression an icon of Western art

Representation of the Paintings (Figure)

• Edouard Manet, the pioneer of modern art, and French, revolutionized modern art
• Broke away from traditional academic styles, bridging Realism
• Uses loose with visible brushstrokes, flat compositions with minimal depth with strong contrasts

Representations found in the Figure

• Impressionism isn't what his work is but they still influenced movement
• Unique with his use of black
• His works were influenced by Spanish and Japanese painters
• His works contained modern Parisian life, realistic that often depicted women with a provocative gaze

Representation of the Painting’s (Animals)

• George Stubbs, British, mastered equine anatomy, with knowledge of horse
• Dramatic lighting enhances depictions of horses in various poses with aristocracy

Representation of Life in Still (16th Century)

• Juan Sanchez Catan, Spanish, influential through his scientific precision with dramatic contrasts
• Intense realism is used influenced by darkness in Caravaggio
• Still life compositions were inspired by Spanish tradition with religious themes

Representations of German art and History

• German Max Beckmann was known for his bold lines, angles, palette and compressed spaces to create tension
• Distorts traditional imagery, reflecting chaos, human suffering and a war theme

Representations of Everyday Life

• Juan Luna, Filipino, painted Parisian cafe
• Captured mundane aspects of life in Paris

Art Movements

• Filipino Fernando Armosolo celebrated Filipino culture and was recognized for his works
• Practiced Realism, and mastered light skills also

Art

• Pablo Picasso used distortion - Cubism

Art Nature

• Jean-Francois Millet, founder. Objective representation, attention to detail in paintings

Abstract Art

• Mark Rothco: emotional response, deep feelings
• Salvador Dali: paranoiac-Critical Method. Illusionism. Surreal. dreams. Symbolic