Form, Content, and

Context
When we look at the
art, what are the
things that we
consider?
What are your reactions regarding this work?
When we look at a
work of art, we
have to consider
three key
elements in order
to understand it.
 FORM
Is the surface feature of an
artwork. It does not have
anything to do with the art’s in-
depth meaning.
As the saying goes “ What you
see is what you get.”, form is
just what it is – nothing else.
In visual arts, form can
either be two-
dimensional such as
drawings and paintings;
or three-dimensional
similar to sculpture,
architecture, and the
like.
 In musical form, it
pertains to the structure
of a musical composition.
Some musical forms are
the serenade, opera,
rhapsody, and others.
 Form also exist in
literature, ranging from
prose, drama, to poetry.
Theater, on the other
hand, has four basic
forms: tragedy, comedy,
drama, and melodrama.
 CONTENT
This is what the work of
art is about.
This contain the subject
matter that carries the
message of the work.
 Content is evident in
visual, literary, and
theater arts. However, in
music, it is not as
distinct because music is
the most abstract of the
arts.
In music, content refers to
the principal and
recognizable melody of
the composition –
something that is stated,
developed, and repeated
in the duration of the
piece.
 CONTEXT
In the arts refers to
the varied situations
in which works have
been produced or
interpreted.
 Context consists of all of
the things about the artwork that
might have influenced the
artwork or the maker (artist).
These would include when the
work was made; where it was
made (both culturally and
geographically); why it was made;
and possibly some other details
or information.
Contextualism—looking at the
cultural context of an artwork
—can deepen and/or improve
our understanding of an
artwork, but it may or may
not change our first
impressions; and it doesn’t
really have an effect on formal
analysis.
 With some additional
contextual information about
the time, the culture, and the
maker/artist of an artwork, we
can become more informed. All
artworks exist in a context—
more accurately, all artworks
exist in multiple contexts.
Two kinds of Context
PRIMARY
And
SECONDARY
 PRIMARY CONTEXT
Is the personal type, for it
concerns the sentiments of
the artists:
His beliefs
Values
Interests
Emotions
The context for the artist or
creator includes:
• Their culture, (where they
grew up; family values; etc.)
• Their place; geography (e.g.,
city, rural, home, traveling)
• Their “worldview,” religion,
beliefs, etc.
 SECONDARY
CONTEXT
Refers to the place and
period in which the
artists had made his
work:
Social
Political
 When thinking about a
viewer’s context, it’s useful to
think about the following,
since all of them can affect
how person sees or responds
to an artwork:
Time
Culture
Nationality
Gender
 Philosophical convictions;
The climate and geography of
the area in which work is
made; and his purpose in
creating the artwork.
These are the circumstances in
which works of art are
produced and/or interpreted.
Interpretation of art
according to Form,
Content and Context
Study the painting of
Antipas “Biboy”
Delotavo then answer
the given guidelines
Itak sa Puso ni Mang Juan” (Dagger at the Heart of Mang Juan). Watercolor on Paper,
1978. Republished with permission.
 In honor of International Labor Day, Global
Voices is featuring several paintings that portray
the situation of Filipino workers.
Antipas “Biboy” Delotavo is a popular Filipino
visual artist who has committed his art to
revealing some of the harsh realities experienced
by ordinary individuals in Philippine society.
Aligned with other social realists who exposed
the dark side of the dictatorship in the 1970s,
Biboy continues to produce paintings that
enlighten the public about the impact of poverty,
oppression, and injustice in the country.
Guide questions
1. Form and Style
a. What do you see in the painting?
b. Describe the person in the painting. How is he portrayed?
c. Describe the background.
d. How will you describe the painting to someone who has not seen it?
2. Content
a. What is the theme of the painting?
b. Who is being represented?
c. What does this painting remind you of?
d. What is the message of the artist?
e. How is the painting related to our society today?
3. Elements and Principles
a. How are the elements of art used in the painting?
b. What principles of design are more dominant in the painting?
4. Context
a. In what type of society has the work been produced?
b. Is the message relevant in the present times?
c. Does the title contribute to the message of the panting? In what way?
5. Personal Opinion
a. What other title can you give this painting?
b. Pretend that you were inside this painting. How would you have felt?
Why would you feel that why?
c. Why do you suppose the artist made this painting?
What do you think is extraordinary about this painting?