This document defines subject matter, style, and aesthetic qualities in artworks. Subject matter refers to the objects or themes depicted in a work. An artist's choice of subject matter may communicate ideas. Style is the distinctive characteristics of a work or body of work defined by materials, techniques, subject matter, and aesthetic qualities. A style may be related to an art movement. Aesthetic qualities are the sense of beauty, harmony, or other effects created by an artist's use of elements and principles of design. Analysing aesthetic qualities involves interpreting how these components create moods or atmospheres. The document provides examples of artworks and questions to consider when discussing subject matter, style, and aesthetic qualities in works of art.

1. SUBJECT MATTER, STYLE &
AESTHETIC QUALITIES

2. SUBJECT MATTER
Subject matter refers to the ‘things’
and/ or ‘objects’ contained within an
artwork. These ‘ things’ and/ or
‘objects’ provide clues for the
viewer.

3. SUBJECT MATTER
o An artists choice of subject matter may communicate various ideas
and meaning.
o Observe & document what is in an artwork. The artist has made a
direct choice to include/omit all parts of the work.
o Try and research or interpret what the subject matter is meant to
convey.
o Use the title as an indicator of subject matter & meaning.
o Describe subject matter by making use of appropriate art
terminology. For example a 2D artwork might be described as a
portrait, landscape, figurative work, an abstract composition, a
seascape, a history painting or a still life.

4. SUBJECT MATTER
o A 3D artwork may be described as a figurative sculpture, a bust
(head and shoulders), a vitrine (glass case with objects inside it), a
suspended artwork, a kinetic sculpture ( an artwork with moving
parts).
o An artist may present their subject matter as realistic, semi abstract
or abstract.
o The artist may use subject matter that is symbolic, as culturally
identified symbols can help communicate deeper meaning.

5. SUBJECT MATTER
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
o Give a description of the subject matter using terminology such as
portrait or landscape.
o Is the artwork realistic, semi abstract or abstract?
o If the artwork is realistic or semi abstract what can you see?
o Is the artist using any symbols within their work? Do these help to
convey meaning?

6. ‘Torana’
Ben Quilty
2004

7. ‘La Liberte guidant le peuple
(Liberty Leading the People)’,
Eugene Delacroix
1830

8. STYLE
The personal and distinguishing
characteristics of an artwork or group of
artworks expressed by an artist or group
of artists. Defined by the identifiable way
in which materials, techniques, subject
matter and aesthetic qualities have been
combined.

9. STYLE
o When you are asked to write about the style of an artist you are
required to describe the features of the artwork that describe its
distinctive character.
o Artistic style will often relate to an art movement. Such as
expressionism, cubism, romanticism, impressionism, surrealism,
minimalism or pop.
o An artist may be working in the thick of a new movement or they
may be referencing a movement that has bee most popular in a
previous time.

10. STYLE
QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:
o How has the artist developed an artistic style/s?
o Can the artistic style be referenced back to an art movement?
o Is the artwork representative of the artists usual style or does it
show a break or development of new style?
o What are the distinct elements, materials, techniques or subject
matter that create the artists style?

11. Howard Arkley
Triple Fronted (1987) & Nick Cave (1999)

12. Charles Blackman
Two Women (1962) & Lovers (1960)

13. AESTHETIC QUALITIES
developed by the artist using the elements
and principles of art in conjunction with
materials and techniques to create a desired
effect. A sense of beauty, ugliness, harmony
or discord can be achieved by the artist
working intuitively or intentionally with the
elements and principles of art.

14. AESTHETIC QUALITIES
o Analysing the aesthetic qualities involves interpreting the way the
artist has manipulated the art elements & principles to create a
particular mood, feeling or atmosphere in their work.
o Be descriptive making accurate use of art terminology and
adjectives to illuminate why an artist has made particular choices
on the composition of their work
o ELEMENTS: colour, line, tone, texture, shape, form, sound, light &
time
o PRINCIPLES: scale, proportion, space, balance, emphasis, contrast,
prepetition, movement & unity/variety

15. Mark Rothko
White Center (Yellow, Pink and Lavender on Rose), (1950) & Black on Gray (1969)

16. Margaret Olley
Ranunculus and Pears(2004) & Solandras (1966)

17. PRACTISE QUESTIONS
YOUR TASK:
1. Record the definitions of subject matter, style and aesthetic qualities.
2. If you are not familiar with any art styles the following link can help expand your vocabulary in
talking about various common styles https://artfuly.com/styles.
3. Complete three of the below questions for three different artworks found in this PowerPoint. ½ to
¾ page hand written for each response.
o Identify two art elements and explain how they have been used to develop aesthetic qualities and style
in the artwork.
o Explain how the artist has communicated ideas and meanings.
o Discuss how aesthetic qualities contribute to the style of the artwork.
o Discuss how the artist has used art elements & principles to develop particular aesthetic qualities in the
artwork.
o Discuss how the artist has used subject matter, style & aesthetic qualities to communicate ideas and
meanings in an artwork.