Week 4-5: SUBJECT AND CONTENT

4.1 Introduction
In this module, you will learn the subject and content. The subject refers to the visual focus or
image that maybe extracted from examining the artwork while content is the meaning that is
communicated by the artist or the artwork.

4.2 Learning Outcomes:

1. Differentiate content from subject
2. Classify artworks according to subject
3. Enumerate the sources of the subjects of some of the most recognizable works of art in
Philippine art history.

4.3 Discussion

Let’s get started!

Think Pair-Share
1. Look at the painting of Fernando Amorsolo below.
2. List down everything that you see within the four corners in three minutes.
3. Discuss and compare with your classmates the items in your notes.
4. Base on the list of items, write an assumption about the painting on the space on the right corner.

4.3.1. Subject

One of the most iconic and recognizable paintings all over the world is the Monalisa done by
Leonardo da Vinci. Some questions are often raised regarding this artwork. Like “who is
Monalisa?’’ why was Leonardo da Vinci compelled to paint her? But as scholars attempt to
solve the true identity of the sitter, it is relevant to note that there is a conscious that the Mona
Lisa-whoever she is- is based on a real person.
 Portraits such as the “Monalisa” are good examples of what is called representational art. These
types of art have subjects that refer to objects or events occurring in the real world. Often, it is also termed
figurative art, because as the name suggest, the figure depicted are easy to make out and decipher. Despite
not knowing who Mona Lisa is, it is clear that the painting is of a woman that is realistically-proportioned; only
the upper torso is shown; a beguiling and mysterious smile is flashed; and that the background is a
landscape-probably a view from a window. So, what is a subject? Subject is any form be it painting, music,
sculpture, architecture or the dance there is always a subject that serves as the foundation of the
creation of the work of art. The subject of art is varied. A subject of art is usually anything that is represented
in the artwork. It may be a person, object, scene, or event.

Two Types of Subject:

1. Representational/Figurative Art
Artworks that depict something easily recognized by most people are called representational or
objective arts. Painting, sculpture, graphics arts, literature, and theatre arts are generally classified us
representational. Although some paintings and sculptures are without subjects. Music and dance may or
may not have subjects.
2. Non-representational or no-objectives arts.
Artworks that have no resemblance to any real subject are called non-representational or no-objectives
arts. They do not represent anything and they are what they are. They rather appeal directly to the senses
primarily because of the satisfying organization of their sensuous and expressive elements.
The proponent of non-representational art was Russian Artist Vasily Kandinsky.
Traditional sculptures and paintings have subjects. When looking at a painting or a statue, one expects to
recognize the subject to know what it is about- a man, a dog, a landscape.

Content in Art
The subject may simply be referred to as the “what”-what is readily seen and relates to the artwork,
its inspiration, and many kinds of translation. But apart from what is made explicit, to recognize and grasp
the message of the artwork, the viewer may sometimes need to go beyond what is visible. Why was the
artwork created in the first place? When this question is asked, we are after the meaning or message that is
expressed or communicated by the artwork. One of the foremost scholars that expounded on content analysis
or how meaning is arrived at is art historian Erwin Panofsky in his seminal work Meaning in the visual arts.
His methodology will be later identified as iconology through the interpretation of iconography.

Source of the Subject Art

1.Primary sources -provide first-hand testimony or direct evidence concerning a topic under investigation.
They are created by witnesses or recorders who experienced the events or conditions being documented.
Often these sources are created at the time when events or conditions are occurring, but primary sources
can also include autobiographies, memoirs, and oral histories recorded later. Primary sources are
characterized by their content, regardless of whether they are available in original format, in microfilm in
digital format or in published format.

2. Secondary sources-interpret and analyze primary sources. Because they are often written significantly
after events by parties not directly involved but who have special expertise, they may provide historical
context or critical perspectives.
Secondary sources include pictures, quotes, or graphics of primary sources. Depending on the subject,
newspaper and journal articles can fall into both categories.

Kinds of Subject
1. Still Life- these are groups of inanimate objects arranged in an indoor setting. Example: flowers and
fruits arrangements. The arrangement is that like to show particular human interests and activities.
2. Landscapes, seascapes, and cityscapes- artist have always been fascinated with their physical
environment.
a. Fernando Amorsolo is well-known for having romanticized Philippine landscape.
3. Animal- they have been represented by artists from almost every ages and places. In fact, the earliest
known paintings are representation of animals on the walls of caves. The carabao has the favorite
subjects of Filipino artist.
a. The dove stands for the Holy Spirit in representation of the holy trinity.
b. The fish and lamb are symbols of Christ.
4. Portrait- people have always been intrigued by the human face as an index of the owner’s character.
As an instrument of expression, it is capable of showing a variety of moods and feelings. Portrait are
realistic likeness of a person in sculpture, painting, drawing or print.
5. Figures- the sculpture’ chief subject has traditionally been the human body, nude or clothed. The
body’s form structure and flexibility offer the artist a big challenge to depict in a variety of ways,
ranging from the idealistic as in the classical Greek sculpture to the most abstract.

4.4 Summary:

You learned from the discussion the difference between subject and content. The types of subject
known as representational and non-representational. Aside from art analysis based on the perspective of the
subject, you also learned from that the content of art that shed light on the object of study and how meaning
was drawn from the content of art.