GERALD C.

DOMINGO
ART APPRECIATION
B16

1. What is the difference between subject and content in Art?

On identifying an art, subject and content are highly discussed where they
are both distinguishable element of the art that focuses on the meanings and
messages. They portray the identity of the art physically, emotionally or
spiritually. In a simpler manner, both speak about the qualities of the art itself.
Differentiating the two, subject focuses on what of artwork while content is why of
an artwork. The subject is best describes being the perception of our senses
where visual and auditory experiences are linked with the artwork. Images and
themes of the artwork belong to this aspect where tangible objects (that can be
seen in an artwork) are best highlighted. For abstract and non-representational
art, tangible objects may not be observed but they still contain subject as Pablo
Picasso insisted that in every art, there will always be a subject. Even a plain
blue painting has a subject itself which is the color blue. On the aspect of the
content of the art, this is all about the array of the intangible object where the
suggestive and symbolic area of the art is emphasized which focuses on the
cultural and artistic context that implies the significance and purpose of the
existence of an artwork. It communicates ideas, beliefs, and feelings instilled
within the art. Paintings are known to have a rich content while architectures are
identified to have an unobservable/more hidden content in such a manner that
the way the material things are organized in a larger area needs a deeper
understanding on the aspiration of why it is built. One best example for this is the
Greek and Roman architectures where they both signify political rules and
missions that are organized in terms of building democracy, rule of law and the
duty to fellowmen and to the country.
To sum it up, the subject and content of the art focuses on the qualitative
analysis of an artwork. The subject focuses on the visual and auditory
representation of the art where our senses are the instruments in identifying an
art. It is the literal meaning of the artwork. Content, on the other hand,
determines the cultural and artistic context of the art where its symbolic context is
emphasized. It is the connotative part of an artwork.
GERALD C. DOMINGO
ART APPRECIATION
B16

2. Compare and contrast the two images in terms of the subject and content.

PAIR 1 – Edvard Munch’s The Sick Child and Christian Krohg’s Sick Girl
These two images depict on the matters of human illnesses (specifically
on tuberculosis) where both women are considered to be on their sickbed. Both
images are represented by a young girl that reflects a disturbing manner. These
were inspired by the personal experiences of the two artists. Munch’s Sick Child
is associated with his elder sister who died of tuberculosis and accompanied by a
grieving woman beside her who, according to some, is a representation of her
mother or aunt. It was painted using an intense color covered with dark colors in
some areas with rough brushstrokes and melancholic tones that feature the
strong emotional stands of the artist. On the painting, we could see the girl as if
looking in the window anticipating her near death. The woman beside her with
her neck bow down means she’s losing hope to help the child but wants to be
with her until her last minute. The white pillow may signify death. According to
some, it was Munch farewell to realism and was his debut for expressionism and
symbolism. Meanwhile, Krohg’s Sick Girl believed to be inspired by Krohg’s
youngest sister who died of tuberculosis. It uses a dull palette with detailed
observation having a pale color of flesh and cloth in a clinical light. On the girl’s
lap, we could observe withering leaves of the rose that acts like tears from the
girl’s eye with her hand clasped on as if in a prayer holding a rosary. The blanket
on her lap looks like cloud signifying death. The girl’s tight-lipped facial
expression could mean fear and sadness. This artwork seems to adhere to the
ideals of realistic painting which can be observed from the colors of the chair up
to the realistic representation of the girl.
This painting shows the reality of life; that there would be an end for our
life. There would come a time that we need to would come to an end in spite of
our desire to stay. The human mortality is a bitter truth that we need to face in
this real world. And, that get to precious our time for every second that exist.

PAIR 2 – Edvard Munch’s The Scream and Vincent Van Gogh’s Eternity’s Gate
GERALD C. DOMINGO
ART APPRECIATION
B16

These two paintings reflect both artist mental disturbances where they aim
to paint the savage of the intensity of life. Moreover, the intense solitude of two
paintings reflects the harsh portrayal of life where their common theme is
loneliness. They use colors symbolically, descriptively and expressively to show
the emotional and psychological trauma. Both had contributed to the journey of
the emergence of expressionism. Munch’s The Scream was made through
organizing and alternating lines and contours painted using the bright colors of
pastel that make it incredibly awful. What we can see is a sexless, fetal-faced
creature with wide eyes and mouth open in horror with the sky as a sinister of
aurora borealis, a radioactive blaze. As what Munch said, “suddenly, the sky
turned as red as blood… Tongues of fire and blood stretched over the bluish
black fjord… while I lagged behind, shivering with fear. Then I heard the
enormous infinite scream of nature.” Anguish and anxiety can be seen in this
artwork. It illustrates manic mind and madness within whom the artist wants to
convey. It shows the bitter truth of living in this world where the existence of
anxiety, uncertainty, and insanity leads to the madness of living. According to
Munch poem, he referred to this painting as his ‘soul painting’. Meanwhile, Van
Gogh’s’ Eternity’s Gate tells about the artist mental distress months before his
alleged suicide. The picture describes an old man who looks stressed that he
cannot bear to the pressure instilled within him as he tries to hide his face from
his fist. The support from the elbow represents his weakness and incapability to
adapt to the undesired situations of the world. The strongly closed fist shows his
fiery anger that adds up to his mental disturbances. The fire flaming at his back
may mean extreme agony experienced by the man. The painting can possibly be
inspired by the artist personal experiences as Van Gogh is known to have mental
distress a couple of months before he died. It is known that his in-and-out in the
hospital are due to his mental breakdown. His alleged suicide when he shoots
himself shows his incapability to handle the pressure.
GERALD C. DOMINGO
ART APPRECIATION
B16

3. Explore how same subject is treated differently by different artist and includes
notes on key similarities and differences then discuss your findings.
At some point, the different artist shares the same subject but take their artwork
differently from others. Techniques and mediums are one of the reasons for this.
The different artist shows different techniques and medium in their artwork, thus,
making this their identity in the field of art-making. Some of the techniques are
due to their expertise in representing their subject such as one artist uses a
bright color using oil pastel while the other artist uses a dull palette to represent
their subjects. The second probable reason for this is the preconception of the
artist to a subject, its artistic personality, and artistic vision. Due to their creativity,
some artist expresses their subjects depending on their experiences and
personality and how do they want a certain subject to be presented on. This is
why there is a multitude of ways to interpret a single subject. It differs from the
choice of colors, characteristics of brushstrokes and how they tell the story of a
certain subject. For Leonardo da Vinci, he best uses the style of chiaroscuro in
his painting.
As for every artist, they aim to write with colors whatever techniques they use.
They create an emotional and physical value of art that makes them be truly an
artist. This is all their similarities which are to stand on the principles of culture
and innovation of the world.