Types of Art Subject

Ian Paul Hurboda Daug

17 Oct 202112:12

Summary

TLDRThis video lesson explores three types of art: representational, abstract, and non-representational. Representational art depicts identifiable objects, such as landscapes or portraits, while abstract art distorts reality but remains derived from real-world subjects. Non-representational art, on the other hand, completely detaches from recognizable forms, focusing solely on color, shape, and line to convey emotions or concepts. The instructor highlights examples from famous artists like John Singer Sargent, Paul Cézanne, Piet Mondrian, and Wassily Kandinsky. The lesson concludes by emphasizing the diverse beauty and meaning behind these different art forms.

Takeaways

🎨 Representational art depicts recognizable subjects from real life, such as trees, apples, or people.
🖼️ Representational art doesn't need to be a realistic depiction; it can be abstracted but still identifiable, like Claude Monet's painting of a bridge.
🌳 John Singer Sargent’s watercolor of a white ox and Paul Cézanne’s painting of four apples are examples of representational art.
🎨 Abstract art represents a departure from reality and can vary in degrees of abstraction, with the subject still being somewhat recognizable.
🖌️ Abstract art can range from loose brushwork to highly distorted forms, like works from the Impressionist movement.
🌀 Non-representational art does not depict recognizable objects from real life; it focuses on form, color, and line to express emotions or ideas.
🟦 Piet Mondrian’s use of geometric shapes and primary colors in his work exemplifies non-representational art.
🔺 Wassily Kandinsky's 'Composition 8' is a perfect example of non-objective painting, focusing solely on geometric shapes and lines.
🎭 Non-representational art allows for subjective interpretation, as the viewer is left to derive meaning from the piece without a clear subject.
✨ The video concludes by summarizing the differences between representational, abstract, and non-representational art, emphasizing their unique approaches to visual expression.

Q & A

What is representational art?
-Representational art refers to art that clearly represents something recognizable from real life, such as a tree, apple, or human figure. It does not have to be a realistic depiction but must still be identifiable as a representation of something existing in the world.
Can representational art include elements of abstraction?
-Yes, representational art can include varying levels of abstraction. Even if the colors or shapes are distorted, like in the works of Paul Cézanne or Claude Monet, the art is still recognizable as something real.
What are common examples of representational art?
-Common examples of representational art include portraits, landscapes, still life paintings, historical or mythological works, and figurative statues.
What is the difference between representational and abstract art?
-Representational art depicts objects or scenes from the real world, while abstract art departs from reality and can exist on a continuum from slight abstraction to a complete departure from recognizable forms.
How long has abstract art been a part of the art world?
-Abstract art has been around for over 100 years and is considered a vital, longstanding tradition in creative culture. Some even trace its roots back to prehistoric cave paintings.
What is non-representational art, and how does it differ from abstract art?
-Non-representational art does not depict anything from the real world. Unlike abstract art, which distorts real-life objects or figures, non-representational art is purely about form, color, and line, without any recognizable subject.
What are the primary visual elements used in non-representational art?
-Non-representational art uses fundamental visual elements such as form, shape, color, and line to express emotions or concepts without depicting a specific subject.
Can non-representational art convey meaning, and how is it interpreted?
-Non-representational art leaves meaning open to the viewer's interpretation. Although it does not represent anything specific, viewers can derive personal emotions, thoughts, or interpretations from the use of shapes and colors.
Who are some artists known for non-representational art?
-Artists like Piet Mondrian and Wassily Kandinsky are known for non-representational art. Their works, such as Mondrian's 'Blue One' and Kandinsky's 'Composition 8,' focus on geometric shapes and colors without depicting recognizable objects.
How does the subject matter of non-representational art challenge traditional views of art?
-Non-representational art challenges traditional views by not representing any recognizable subject matter. This can be unsettling for viewers used to seeing identifiable objects, as the focus shifts entirely to abstract forms, lines, and colors.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Introduction to Representational Art

The first type of art discussed is representational art, which depicts recognizable objects, people, or scenes from real life, such as trees, apples, or human figures. While the art doesn't need to be completely realistic, it must be identifiable. Examples include portraits, landscapes, and historical paintings. Artists like John Singer Sargent and Paul Cézanne are highlighted, with their works representing objects in a stylized or distorted way, yet still recognizable. Representational art can range from detailed to more abstract, as seen in Impressionist paintings, which though loosely rendered, still portray identifiable subjects.

05:00

🎨 Exploring Abstract Art

Abstract art is introduced as a style that departs from realistic representation. It involves distorting forms or simplifying shapes, colors, and compositions, and exists on a spectrum of abstraction. Abstract art has been around for over a century and often challenges traditional views on art. The text discusses how abstract art may not always be easy to understand but is crucial to cultural debate and creativity. Artists like Tomogita, known for blending figurative and abstract styles, show how abstraction can still evoke emotion or provoke thought. Examples from Impressionism and abstract movements illustrate this complex art form.

10:03

🌈 Delving into Non-Representational Art

Non-representational art, often confused with abstract art, is defined as art that does not depict recognizable objects or scenes. Instead, it focuses on the use of form, shape, color, and line to convey emotion or abstract concepts. Unlike abstract art, which may still distort real-world objects, non-representational art begins with no reference to the physical world. Works by Jackson Pollock and Piet Mondrian are examples, with Pollock’s splashes of paint and Mondrian’s geometric shapes serving as expressions of pure artistic intent. The freedom of interpretation is a key feature, although this ambiguity can challenge viewers.

🖌️ Summary of Art Styles: Representational, Abstract, and Non-Representational

This final section recaps the three major types of art discussed. Representational art captures real-world objects and scenes in a recognizable way. Abstract art, existing on a continuum, distorts real-world imagery to varying degrees but still references identifiable subjects. Non-representational art, by contrast, does not depict anything from the real world and relies solely on shapes, colors, and lines to express abstract concepts or emotions. The segment concludes with a reminder of the fluidity and creativity within art, while thanking the audience for their engagement with the lesson.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Representational Art

Representational art refers to artwork that clearly depicts recognizable objects from the real world. In the video, examples like a tree or an apple are used to explain this type of art, which aims to represent actual objects, even if the depiction is not entirely realistic. Representational art includes portraits, landscapes, and still lifes.

💡Abstract Art

Abstract art refers to art that departs from realistic representation and focuses on forms, shapes, and colors to convey ideas or emotions. The video explains that abstract art can still derive from real-world imagery but does not depict it directly. It emphasizes the creative expression that transcends literal depictions, as seen in works by artists like Picasso.

💡Non-Representational Art

Non-representational art, also known as non-objective or complete abstraction, refers to art that does not depict recognizable objects from the real world. The video explains that this form of art focuses on elements like color, shape, and line to convey emotion or concept, without trying to represent something specific. Examples include works by Piet Mondrian and Wassily Kandinsky.

💡John Singer Sargent

John Singer Sargent was an American artist known for his representational art. In the video, his watercolor of a white ox is mentioned as an example of representational art, where the subject is identifiable, even though the representation may not be highly detailed or true to life.

💡Paul Cézanne

Paul Cézanne was a French Post-Impressionist painter, and in the video, his painting 'Four Apples' is used as an example of representational art that distorts colors and shapes while still clearly representing real-world objects (apples). This highlights that representational art can involve abstraction while maintaining recognizable subjects.

💡Claude Monet

Claude Monet, a founder of French Impressionism, is mentioned in the video as an artist whose loose and vague brushwork in a painting still clearly represents a bridge, boats, and buildings. Monet's work serves as an example of how representational art can involve abstraction without losing its connection to real-world imagery.

💡Cubism

Cubism is an art movement that broke down subjects into geometric shapes, distorting their appearance. The video references Cubism in the context of abstract art, explaining how artists like Picasso abstracted figures and instruments to create works that still suggest real-world subjects but through fragmented, geometric forms.

💡Jackson Pollock

Jackson Pollock was an American painter known for his drip painting technique, often cited as an example of non-representational art. In the video, Pollock’s work, characterized by splashes of paint, is used to illustrate how non-representational art can evoke emotion or meaning without depicting recognizable objects.

💡Piet Mondrian

Piet Mondrian was a Dutch painter known for his use of geometric shapes and primary colors. His work 'Blue One' is mentioned as an example of non-representational art, where blocks of color and black lines are used to form a cohesive artwork without depicting real-world subjects, focusing instead on fundamental visual elements.

💡Wassily Kandinsky

Wassily Kandinsky was a Russian painter and art theorist, considered one of the pioneers of abstract art. His painting 'Composition 8' is highlighted in the video as a prime example of non-representational art, using geometrical shapes and lines to create a piece that does not represent any recognizable object but invites interpretation through its abstract forms.

Highlights

Representational art refers to art that represents something identifiable, such as a tree, apple, or human figure.

In representational art, objects don't have to be true to life, as long as they are recognizable.

Representational art includes portraits, traditional landscapes, still lifes, and figurative sculptures.

John Singer Sargent's watercolor of a white ox and Paul Cézanne's painting 'Four Apples' are examples of representational art.

Representational art can involve varying levels of abstraction, where objects remain identifiable but may be distorted in form or color.

Impressionist artists like Claude Monet used loose brushwork and simplified forms, creating abstract elements while still representing recognizable subjects.

Abstract art indicates a departure from reality and exists on a continuum, ranging from slightly abstracted figures to non-representational forms.

Abstract art, although perplexing and hard to define, has been an important part of art history for over a century.

Tomogita's abstract work blends figurative elements, using abstraction to create a unique and visually striking piece.

Non-representational art refers to work that does not depict any recognizable objects or beings, focusing instead on form, color, and line.

Non-representational art is also called complete abstraction or non-figurative art, and often invites subjective interpretation from viewers.

Jackson Pollock's splashes of paint and Mark Rothko's color-blocked squares are examples of non-representational art.

Piet Mondrian's 'Blue One' and Wassily Kandinsky's 'Composition 8' are classic examples of non-representational art that emphasize form and color.

Non-representational art is often challenging for viewers because it offers freedom of interpretation, moving away from recognizable subjects.

The lecture concludes by summarizing the three art forms: representational art, abstract art, and non-representational art, each with its own approach to depicting the world and emotions.