The Nature and Theories of Art Early 20th Century

 Art comes from the Latin word "ars" In the 1920s, Fernando Amorsolo
meaning ability or skill. It covers established the Amorsolo School of
those areas of artistic creativity that painting, whose influence grew for decades.
seek to communicate beauty Their works were widely reproduced in
primarily through the senses, calendars, cards, book illustrations, and
expressing aesthetic ideas through corporate advertisements. Philippine art
skill and imagination reflects the wide range of cultural influences
on the country's culture and how these
influences shaped the country's artistic
What is Art? development from ancient times to the
present.
 "The quality, production, or
expression of what is beautiful, Classical Sculpture
appealing, or of more than ordinary
Guillermo Tolentino, trained in Rome,
significance."
became the proponent of Classical
 Art applies to activities that express
sculpture in the Philippines, as seen in his
aesthetic ideas through visual
public monuments and statues
expression.

Skill and Expression

Categories of Philippine Art
 Art is to evoke in oneself a feeling
one has experienced and having Traditional Arts
evoked it in oneself, then by means
 Bearers can be nominated as
of movements, lines, colors, sounds,
Gawad Manlilikhang Bayan
or forms expressed in words, so to
(GAMABA), equal to National Artist.
transmit that feeling that others may
Forms include folk architecture,
experience the same feeling." - Leo
weaving, carving, folk performing
Tolstoy
arts, folk graphic arts, and folk oral
Everyday Artistry literature.

 "We can also say that we are Non-Traditional Arts

involved in art when we compose a
 Bearers can be nominated as
melody, sing songs beautifully and
National Artist, equal to Gawad
dance gracefully: there is the art of
Manlilikha ng Bayan. Forms include
dressing, of relaxing, art of cooking
dance, music, theatre, visual arts,
and in almost all-human activities." –
literature, film and broadcast art,
Estolas
architecture and design

Theories vs. Definitions of Art

History of Arts in the Philippines
The theory of art contrasts with the Any change made by an artist to size,
definition of art. Definitions include shape or visual character to express an
fundamental, adequate criteria that can be idea, convey feeling or enhance visual
overthrown by a single counterexample. impact. Exaggerating, twisting, and
Theorizing about art is similar to a theory of elongating forms are used. Pablo Picasso's
natural phenomena like gravity. "Le Reve" exemplifies this with contrasting
colors and simplified, distorted depictions.
A theory of art treats art like other natural
Formalism Art It is used by art critics to
phenomena that need investigation.
examine and evaluate work.
Seeking a theory is better than seeking a
definition because human minds cannot find
definitions without counterexamples.
Formalism
A definition assumes there are Platonic
emphasizes compositional elements like
concepts with discoverable essences. In
color, line, shape, and texture. It's one of the
contrast, a theory of art presumes that
oldest methods to evaluate art, focusing on
people have different conceptions of an
how a work is made rather than its narrative
unattainable art concept, requiring worldly
content or relationship to the visible world.
investigation
The meaning of artwork is not emphasized,
but rather the elements of art such as line or
color are given importance.
Expressionism

Expressionism is a term used to describe

works of art in which the representation of Realism
reality is distorted to communicate an inner
Artists in Europe adopted realism as a new
vision. It was an art movement and
style in the middle of the 19th century,
international tendency at the beginning of
transforming the western art world with
the 20th century, spanning visual arts,
unprecedented attention to everyday
literature, music, theatre and architecture.
subject matter. Realism emerged in France
The aim of expressionist artists was to
in the 1850s following the 1848 revolution.
express emotional experiences rather than
The establishment of the "right to work"
physical reality. The movement started in
made worthy artistic subjects out of
1905 and lasted until approximately 1920.
average, working class people,
Expressionist artworks in early 20th century
contemporary settings, and day-to-day
were often based on the artwork's inner
scenes.
feelings

Expressionist artworks featured highly

intense color and non-naturalistic Abstraction
brushwork. Norwegian artist Edvard Munch,
creator of "The Scream," was a key Abstract art does not attempt to represent
forerunner of the Expressionism movement. an accurate depiction of visual reality but
instead uses shapes, colors, forms, and
Distortion Art gestural marks to achieve its effect. It can
use simplified or schematized forms based
on objects, figures, or landscapes. It also  Shapes have two dimensions-height
applies to artworks using forms like and width-and are usually defined by
geometric shapes with no source in external lines. Shape has only height and
visual reality. "Concrete art" or "non- width. Shape is usually, though not
objective art" are terms preferred by pure always, defined by line, which can
abstract artists, though the distinction isn't provide its contour.
always clear. - Wassily Kandinsky's
FORM
"Cossacks"
 Form has depth as well as width and
height. Three-dimensional form is
REPORT 2 the basis of sculpture, furniture, and
decorative arts. Forms exist in three
BASIC ELEMENTS OF ARTS
dimensions, with height, width, and
Line is a mark with length and direction. It is depth.
a continuous mark made by a moving point.
SPACE
Since it is one-dimensional, it varies in
width, direction, and length. Oftentimes,  In a work of art, space refers to
lines define the edges of a form. Also, a line feeling of depth or three dimensions.
can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, It can also refer to the artist's use of
straight or curved, thick or thin, and it shows the area within the picture plane.
different meanings, feelings, and emotions.
Negative space – the area around the
primary objects in a work of art

KINDS OF LINE Positive space – the space occupied by

the primary objects.
1. Horizontal lines suggest a feeling
of rest or repose because objects The relationship of positive to negative
parallel to the earth are at rest. In space can greatly affect the impact of a
this landscape, horizontal lines also work of art.
help give a sense of space.

2. Vertical lines often communicate a

COLOR AND VALUE
sense of height because they are to
the earth, extending perpendicular Colors can be described as warm (red,
yellow) or cool (blue, gray), depending on
3. Zigzag lines convey action and
which end of the color spectrum they fall. It
excitement, as well as restlessness
consists of intensity (brightness) and value
and anxiety.
(lightness or darkness).
4. Curve lines convey energy. Soft,
shallow curves recall the curves of Value is used by an artist to create different
the human body and often have a moods. For example:
pleasing, sensual quality and a
softening effect on the composition. • Dark colors – sense of mystery or
foreboding
SHAPES
 • Light colors – a sense of hope or  Historically, the construction of art
possibilities science through the study of style
development was a revolutionary
On the other hand, intensity describes the
attempt of the principles of arts. Its
purity or strength of a color. Since bright
first publication in 1915 made a
colors are undiluted, it is often associated
foundational work in formalist art
with positive energy and heightened
history. In fact, the compelling
emotions. While dull colors are diluted and it
artwork descriptions made it
is often associated with sedate or serious
systematic, subjective, and
mood
remarkable to make an art, which
are called the principles of arts.

COLOR WHEEL

 The Color Wheel, which was BALANCE

developed by Sir Isaac Newton in
Elements are arranged to create a feeling of
1666, is the basis for all color theory.
stability in work. It is the principle of art
The 12 basic colors are called hues.
concerned with arranging elements so no
one part of a work overpowers, or heavier
than any other part. Balance principle is
TEXTURE either seen or felt by the viewer.
 Texture is the surface quality or feel 1. Formal balance is also known as
of an object, its smoothness, symmetrical balance. It means two
roughness, softness, etc. halves are mirror image. It is
Actual Texture – what you feel when you achieved by arranging elements on
touch an object either side of the center of a
composition in an equally weighted
Implied Texture – what you think you feel manner. It can be thought of as
when you see the object 50/50 balance of like a mirror image.
Also, an artist can present visual textures in 2. Informal balance is also known as
two dimensions. The visual sense in a two- asymmetrical balance. It means two
dimensional artwork is depicted as if it unlike elements seem to carry equal
would feel like real if touched. On the other weight. When one side of a
hand, the tactile quality of the artist's three- composition does not reflect the
dimensional work is actual, thus making its design of the other.
texture real.
VARIETY

 This is a principle of design

PRINCIPLE OF ARTS concerned with diversity. Variety is
 The elements of visual arts are achieved by a combination of
considered to be the ingredients of different shapes, sizes, and/or colors
arts. These elements are organized in a work of art. Movement is a
using various tools principle of design used to create the
 look and feeling of action and to CONTRAST
guide the viewer's eye throughout
 This is a principle of art that refers to
the work of art.
the difference between two things to
HARMONY create interest and tension.

 This is a principle of arts that shows

the quality of how the visual
REPORT 4
elements are working together in a
composition. It is achieved when all SUBJECT OF ART
elements have unity and cohesion,
giving a sense of completion to an  refers to the main idea that is
artwork. represented in the artwork.

EMPHASIS

 This is a principle of art defined as 1. Landscapes, Seascapes and

the focal point of an image, when Cityscapes
one am thing stands out the most. In  Landscapes- are a genre of
order to bring attention to the focal art that captures scenic view.
point, subordination is done by  Cityscape- is a work that
minimizing or toning down other showcases aspects of cities.
compositional elements. •
 Seascapes- refer to art works
PROPORTION that depict the sea. Scene on
a navigable River by John
 This is a principle of art concerned
Constable Flatford Mill
with the relationship of one part to
2. Animals
another and to the whole.
 Along with the human form,
RHYTHM animals were subjects of the
earliest art ever created.
 This is a principle of art that
 For prehistoric artists, beasts
suggests movement or action.
represented food but were
Rhythm is usually achieved through
also sacred, spiritual beings.
repetition of lines, shapes, colours,
 Animals remained a vital
and more.
component of all art in all
UNITY cultures. Lascaux by Bull,
Cave Art
 Unity in art (also called harmony) is 3. Human Figures, Portraits, and
when all the elements and principles Couples
work together to create a pleasing
image. In other words, it is the
oneness of an artwork.
  In aesthetics, the human 1. Realism
figure or human form in art,  It is the attempt to portray the
sculpture and other art formal subject as is.
involves a study and  The artist selects, changes, and
appreciation of the beauty of arranges details to express the
the human body in its idea he wants to make clear.
depiction or presentation.  The artist main function is to
 Kant refers to the human describe accurately what is
figure as the ideal of beauty. observed through the senses.
His i deal of human beauty Realistic Painting of Cristiano
implies that a person's face Ronaldo
can be beautiful only if its 2. Abstract
form is consistent with what  it means to move away or
nature intends in the human separate. The art work is not
face. Mona Lisa by Leonardo realistic.
da Vinci 1. Distortion- a kind of abstract
method where the subject is in
4. Everyday Life or Genre misshaped condition.
 Painting of scenes from 2. Cubism- Subjects are shown in
everyday life, of ordinary basic geometrical shapes.
people at work or recreation, 3. Mangling- Subjects are cut,
depicted in a generally lacerated, mutilated or hacked.
realistic manner. The Fruit 4. Elongation- The subject is
Gatherer by Fernando lengthened for protraction or
Amorsolo extension.
5. Still Life
 A painting or drawing of an 3. Symbolism Still Life
arrangement of objects, typically  An Allegory of the Vanities of
including fruit and flowers and Human Life by Harmen
objects contrasting with these in Steenwyck
texture, such as bowls and  The presentation of an
glassware. invisible sign such as an idea
 Still Life with Flowers by Oosterwyck or a quality into something
Maria Van visible.
6. Image of Divinity 4. Fauvism
 This is any artwork that has a  It is an art movement of the
Christian or Biblical theme. 1900s by Henri Matisse,
Pieta by Michelangelo Andre Derain, Raoul Dufy,
and George Rouault.
7. Narration and Historical  F auve artists used pure, brilli
 It depicts a moment in a ant color aggressively
narrative story. Spoliarium by applied straight from the
Juan Luna paint t ubes to create a

METHODS OF PRESENTING THE ART

 sense of an explosion on the
canvas.
 The Green Line: Portrait of
Madame Matisse by Matisse
Henri
5. Dadaism
 Protest movement formed in
1916 by a group of artist in
Zurich, Switzerland. • They
try to provoke the public with
outrageous forms of arts. I t
came from the French word
"dada" meaning "hobby
horse".
 Murdering Airplane by Max
Ernst 1920
6. Futurism
 This work aims to capture the
s peed and force of modern i
ndustrial society and to
glorify t h e mechanical
energy of modern life.
 Dynamism of a Dog on a
Leash by Giacomo Balla,
1912
7. Surrealism
 Surrealism came from the
slang of super realism. • It is
founded by French poet
Andre Breton in 1924.
 It tries to represent fantastic
and unnatural themes of
higher reality.
 It aims to create a magical
world more beautiful than the
real one through art.
 Bird’s Cocktail by Gennady
Privedentsev
8. Expressionism
 It can be described as
pathos, morbidity, violence or
chaos, and tragedy.
 The Scream by Edvard
Munch