SUBJECT TYPE

Agenda
 Representation (with subject) and non-representational (without subject)
 Source of subject
 Kinds of subject

Representation (with subject) and non-representational (without subject)

1. Representation (with subject):
 This refers to art that depicts objects, people, scenes, or anything from the real
world in a recognizable form.
 The subject matter is identifiable, such as landscapes, portraits, or still life.
 Even when stylized, the artwork retains a connection to real-world subjects.

Examples: Classical paintings, Renaissance art, and realist art.

2. Non-representation (without subject)

 Non-representational or abstract art doesn't aim to represent specific,
recognizable subjects from the real world.
 The focus is on elements like color, shape, form, and texture, rather than a
realistic depiction of objects or scenes.
 These works can express ideas, emotions, or concepts through abstract forms
and may not relate to any specific visual references.

Examples: Abstract expressionism, minimalism, and geometric abstraction.

Source of Subject
1. Nature
 Nature has always been a fundamental source of inspiration for artists. This
includes landscapes, animals, plants, the seasons, and natural phenomena like
the sea, mountains, and the sky.
Examples:
 Claude Monet’s water lilies.

 Japanese ukiyo-e prints of landscapes by Hokusai

2. History
 Historical events, people, and periods have been used as subjects, often to
commemorate, celebrate, or critique certain moments in time.
Examples:

 Jacques-Louis David’s The Death of Marat (French Revolution).

 Picasso’s Guernica (Spanish Civil War).

3. Greek and Roman Mythology

 The myths and gods of ancient Greece and Rome provided many stories and
characters that artists have depicted in various forms, symbolizing universal
themes such as love, heroism, and fate.
Examples:

 Botticelli’s The Birth of Venus.

 Caravaggio’s Medusa.

4. Judeo-Christian Tradition
 Biblical stories and figures from both the Old Testament (Judaism) and the New
Testament (Christianity) have been central themes in Western art. Religious
scenes have served both devotional purposes and artistic expression.
Examples:

 Michelangelo’s Creation of Adam in the Sistine Chapel.

 Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper.

5. Sacred Oriental Texts

 Eastern religious and philosophical texts, such as the Bhagavad Gita (Hinduism),
Tripitaka (Buddhism), and Tao Te Ching (Taoism), have inspired religious and
philosophical art throughout Asia. The subjects are often deities, mythological
figures, or scenes from ancient epics.
Examples:

 Buddhist depictions of the life of the Buddha in temple art.

 Hindu paintings of deities like Vishnu or Shiva.

6. Other Works of Art

 Many artists take inspiration from previous artworks, creating homages,
parodies, or reinterpretations. This can include borrowing themes, styles, or
visual elements from earlier works.

Examples:

 Édouard Manet’s Olympia, which references Titian’s Venus of Urbino.

 Appropriation art, like Marcel Duchamp’s L.H.O.O.Q., a parody of the Mona Lisa.

7. Literature and Poetry

 Classical, modern, and contemporary literature has been a source of inspiration
for visual artists, who often depict scenes or emotions described in famous
books, poems, or plays.

Examples:
 Dante Gabriel Rossetti’s paintings inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy.
 Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, inspired by the ideals of the
French Revolution.

8. Popular Culture
 In modern and contemporary art, mass media, pop culture, and consumerism
have become important sources of subject matter. This often involves celebrity
culture, advertising, and modern icons.

Examples:

 Andy Warhol’s Campbell’s Soup Cans.

 Roy Lichtenstein’s comic book-inspired works.

9. Philosophical Concepts and Abstract Ideas

 Non-representational art often draws on philosophical ideas or abstract
concepts, such as existentialism, psychology, or the exploration of form and
space.

Examples:
 Piet Mondrian’s exploration of geometric abstraction and balance in
Composition with Red, Blue, and Yellow.

 Kazimir Malevich’s Black Square as a philosophical statement on the "zero point"

of painting.

Kinds of Subject
1. History
 Art that portrays significant historical events, people, or periods. It often aims to
commemorate or comment on pivotal moments in human history
Examples:

 Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People (French Revolution).

 Benjamin West’s The Death of General Wolfe (Seven Years’ War).

2. Still Life
 Still life refers to the depiction of inanimate objects, typically everyday items
such as fruits, flowers, vases, or food. The focus is often on composition, texture,
and lighting.

Examples:

 Paul Cézanne’s Still Life with Apples.

 Willem Claesz Heda’s 17th-century Dutch still lifes of glassware and food.

3. Animals
 Artwork that depicts animals, either in their natural habitat or as symbolic or
allegorical figures. These works can focus on the beauty, power, or symbolism of
animals.

Examples:

 Albrecht Dürer’s Young Hare.

 George Stubbs’ famous horse paintings, like Whistlejacket.

4. Figures (Human Form)

 This refers to art that emphasizes the human figure, whether in portraits, body
studies, or as part of a scene. It can focus on anatomy, expression, or symbolism
.
Examples:

 Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.

 Michelangelo’s sculptures like David.

5. Nature
 Nature as a subject can include plants, trees, animals, and other elements of the
natural environment. It often highlights the beauty and diversity of the natural
world.

Examples:

 Georgia O'Keeffe's large-scale flowers.

 Henri Rousseau’s The Dream, which features a lush jungle landscape.

6. Landscape
 This subject involves the depiction of natural scenery such as mountains, valleys,
trees, rivers, and forests. It can be realistic, idealized, or symbolic.

Examples:

 J.M.W. Turner’s The Fighting Temeraire.

 Vincent van Gogh’s Wheatfield with Crows.

7. Seascape
 Seascapes are a subcategory of landscape art that specifically focuses on oceans,
seas, and coastal scenes. Artists may portray calm waters or tumultuous waves.
Examples:

 Katsushika Hokusai’s The Great Wave off Kanagawa.

 Ivan Aivazovsky’s The Ninth Wave.

8. Cityscape
 Cityscapes depict urban environments, including streets, buildings, and skylines.
They often highlight the energy, architecture, and culture of a particular city.

Examples:

 Edward Hopper’s Nighthawks (urban diner scene).

 Piranesi’s Views of Rome (engraved city scenes).

9. Mythology and Myth

 A myth is a single story
Example:
 The myth of Icarus flying too close to the sun.
 Mythology is the entire system or collection of myths from a specific culture
Example:
 Greek mythology, which includes myths about the gods on Mount Olympus, the
Titans, etc.

10. Dreams and Fantasies

 This subject explores the imaginative and surreal, often incorporating dream-like
or fantastical elements. Artists may depict scenes that are not grounded in
reality but in personal or collective imagination.
Examples:

 Salvador Dalí’s The Persistence of Memory.

 Hieronymus Bosch’s The Garden of Earthly Delights (fantastical vision).