Subject Matter

In Art
What is subject matter
in Art?
The subject matter is the main idea
presented in a piece of art. Usually, an
idea that was taken from the mind of the
artist and translated into a visual
representation of a thought, feeling,
emotion, etc. What is important to
understand if you are an artist is
connecting with your audience.
 Six Types of Subject Matter in Visual Art
• Still life
• Landscape (Includes Cityscapes, Cloudscape, Riverscapes,
etc.)
• Portrait
• Figurative
• Historical
• Social or Political
Still life
Works of art that feature
inanimate objects such as fruit,
flowers, plants, rocks, shells,
jewelry. Generally arranged for
maximum design or
compositional effect by the
artist. Vanitas and trompe l’oel
are types of still life painting.
• Landscape
May include many kinds of scenery in
nature including mountains, rivers,
trees, etc. Other similar types of ‘scape
subject matter include:
Cityscape art is similar to
landscape art but it depicts
urban areas; towns, cities,
buildings, factories, etc.
• Cloudscape art depicts
clouds and cloud
formations.
• Riverscapes art depict
rivers and similar bodies of
water.
Figurative Art features the
human figure similar to the
way a portrait does.
Figurative art may convey
narrative or story elements..
Abstract art is art that does not
attempt to represent an accurate depiction
of a visual reality but instead use shapes,
colours, forms and gestural marks to
achieve its effect.
Portrait is a painting, drawing, sculpture,
or photograph that is an artistic
representation of a person or persons.
Usually the face is the focal point of the
piece. The aim is to create a likeness that
represents aspects of the subject’s
personality. Includes self-portraiture, group
portraits, wedding or betrothal portraits as
well as individual portraits.
Historical art (usually historical
painting) refers to art that conveys a
narrative about a historical,
mythological, or religious event.
Social or Political art can be
painting, sculpture, photography,
installation, or film that where its
main theme is social or political
issues.
Content
in Art
The meaning or message that is
expressed or communicated by the
artwork. In understanding the content
of art, it is important to note that there
are various levels of meaning
Factual meaning
The most rudimentary level of meaning for it may be
extracted from the identifiable or recognizable forms in
the artwork and understanding how these elements
relate to one another.
Conventional meaning
Pertains to the acknowledged interpretation of the
artwork using motifs, signs, and symbols and other
cyphers as bases of its meaning. These conventions are
established through time, strengthened by recurrent use
and wide acceptance by its viewers or audience and
scholars who study them.
Subjective meaning
When subjectivities are consulted, a variety of meanings may
arise when a particular work of art is read. These meanings
stem from the viewer’s or audience’s circumstances that come
into play when engaging with art (what we know, what we
learned, what we experienced; what values we stand for)
Meaning may not be singular, rather, multiple and varied.