The document outlines three basic components of a work of art: subject, form, and content. It defines each component and provides examples. Subject refers to the topic or focus of the image. Form is the composition and development of the work. Content is the artist's intention or meaning behind the work. It also discusses styles of figuration from naturalism to full abstraction based on how closely the work represents physical objects.

1. Three Basic Components of a Work of
Art
SUBJECT the “what”
the topic or the focus of the image
FORM the “how”
the development of the work,
composition, or the substantiation
CONTENT the ”why”
the artist's intention,
communication, or meaning behind
the work

2. Three Basic Components of a Work of Art
SUBJECT
*can be a person, a theme, or an idea.
STYLE OF FIGURATION
Representational
- Objective images which represent people or objects,
look as close as possible to their references' actual
appearance and can be clearly identified
Abstract, Non-representational
or Non-objective
- Simplification, stylization, rearrangement
- May lack connection to actual object

3. Three Basic Components of a Work of Art
FORM
*total overall arrangement or organization
of an artwork
”the result of the use of elements of art
and the principles of organization, which
are used to give them order and meaning”
a VERB, rather than a noun

4. Three Basic Components of a Work of Art
FORM
ELEMENTS OF ART - building blocks of expression
line, texture, color, shape, and value
- characteristics depend on artist's choice of media
and techniques; dealt with singularly or in combination
PRINCIPLES OF ORGANIZATION
harmony, variety, balance, proportion,
dominance, movement and economy
- spatial relationships to express artist's intent; instinctive vs.
calculated

6. Three Basic Components of a Work of Art
CONTENT
*the emotional or intellectual message
a statement, expression, or mood
developed by the artist and interpreted by
the observer
-ideally, the viewer's interpretation is
synchronized with the artist's intention
-viewer's diversity of experience as factor
-artist's motive – arbitrary forms/colors
-e.g. personal color iconography in the
case of Van Gogh

8. Styles of Figuration
PHYSICAL
OBJECT AS
REFERENC
E
NATURALISM REALISM SEMI-
ABSTRACTIO
N
OBJECTIVE
ABSTRACTIO
N
NONOBJECTI
VE
ABSTRACTIO
N
Fully
represent
ational
with
specific
details
(veristic)
Representa
tional but
emphasize
s the
emotional
essence,
not
specifics
(more
subjective)
Partly
representation
al but
simplified
and
rearranged
Based on
a
physical
object
but
simplified
and
rearrang
ed so
that it
appears
nonobjective
Nonrepres
entational
started
without
any
reference
to a
physical
object.
Based on
pure form.
Form and
content
act as
subject
matter
FULL ABSTRACTION

9. Image: Jean-Francois Millet, The Gleaners, (Museo de Orsay, 1857. oil on canvas, 83.5 x 110 cm)

10. Styles of Figuration
PHYSICAL
OBJECT AS
REFERENC
E
NATURALISM
REALISM SEMI-
ABSTRACTI
ON
OBJECTIVE
ABSTRACTI
ON
NONOBJECTI
VE
ABSTRACTIO
N
FULL ABSTRACTION
Image: Gustave Courbet, The Stone Breakers, oil on canvas, 1849

11. Styles of Figuration
PHYSICAL OBJECT AS
REFERENCE
NATURALISM
REALISM SEMI-ABSTRACTION OBJECTIVE ABSTRACTION
NONOBJECTIVE ABSTRACTION
FULL ABSTRACTION

12. Les Demoiselles
d'Avignon
Pablo Picasso
Paris, June-July 1907
Oil on canvas
8' x 7' 8"

13. Umberto Boccioni

14. Mark Rothko

15. Art Styles – Philippine Art samples
Naturalism Realism Semi-abstraction Full-abstraction
Fully representational
with specific details
(very objective)
Fernando Amorsolo
Princess Urduja
oil on canvas,1956
Representational
but emphasizes the
emotional essence, not
specifics
(more subjective)
Juan Luna
Spoliarium
oil on canvas,1884
Partly representational
but simplified and
rearranged.
Ang Kiukok
unknown title
oil on canvas
(1931-2005)
Based on physical
object but simplified
and rearranged so that
it appears non-
objective
Nonrepresentational,
started without any
reference to a physical
object. Based on pure
design. Form and
content act as subject
matter.