Range in Artwork
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We call a painting “objective” or
"representational" if it portrays specific,
recognizable physical objects. In some cases,
the representational paintings look true to life,
almost like a photograph.
For example, consider the following painting
by Rembrandt (Dutch, 1606-1669). This
painting is called "The Anatomy Lecture of Dr.
Nicolaes Tulp", and was painted in 1632.
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And sometimes we just recognize the subject
matter, but it is not necessarily realistic, as in
this Picasso artwork:
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Non objective art is extremely abstracted. You
cannot recognize elements in the art as
anything specific such as a person, landscape,
etc.
By the beginning of the 20th century painters
previously restricted by the conventions of
representational art were able to enter a realm
in which unbounded imagination was, not only
possible, but desirable - abstraction.
“Improvisation 7”
(1910)
Wassily Kandinsky
"Lavender Mist" [1950] by Jackson Pollock.
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All artwork is abstracted (simplified) to a
degree. There are three types of abstraction.
Slight abstraction which is objective and
descriptive (describing exactly what they see).
Moderate abstraction which is objective and
decorative (and impression or idea of what the
artist sees).
Extreme abstraction which is non objective and
decorative.
"Apples, Peaches, Pears and Grapes" [1880] by Cézanne.
Pablo Picasso, “Three Musicians” (1921)
"One Year the Milkweed" [1944] by Arshile Gorky
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Not realistic, moderately or extremely
abstract—can be either objective or nonobjective
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Sometimes the artist chooses to create an
artwork that is quite realistic—he or she is
“describing” what they see:
"Wheatstacks (End of Summer)" [1890-1891] by Monet
“From the Lake”
Georgia O’Keeffe
“Café Terrace at Night”
Vincent Van Gogh
“Luncheon of the Boating Party” by Pierre Auguste Renoir
Picasso’s Guitars