[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
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Summary and Study Guide
Why we study the history of art?
Art History is unique in that it is a visual account of the history of humans. It is mostly though art that modern day historian, archeologist and
anthropologist have any understanding of our ancestors and their lives.
We will cover mostly Western Art History. What is western art? Cultures that were developed in the Western Hemisphere are considered western,
but the cultures of ancient Near East and Egypt are also considered to be the foundation of western civilization. There are some ancient cultures of
the western hemisphere that are not considered part of western civilization development. This class will follow the established and accepted
definitions of what is western and non western.
The idea of the creative impulse will be explored, how art began and the mythology of artists as magicians. Understanding the criteria that is used
to assess the value of art will also be discussed in the text.
Art Historians do not simply evaluate art chronological, but they do try to approach the analysis of art using specific methodologies:
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Contextual
Formalism
Marxism
Feminism
Semiology
Deconstructionism
psychoanalysis.
These methods cannot be applied to every piece of art, but they are used to help the viewer better understand the motivation for creating a
particular piece of art.
Art is also understood and discussed in formalities: fundamentals of art and principles of design. The fundamentals of art are line, shape, space,
color, texture, value and form. The principles of design are unity, rhythm, emphasis, balance, harmony, variety, repetition, and movement.
The terminology style is used as well to describe pieces of art. The most common terms used are naturalistic, realistic, abstract and expressionistic.
There are other style terms that can be used as well.
Methods of Analyzing
Contextual
Not mentioned in the text’s introduction, but it is the most common approach used in beginning art history courses
and is the predominant approach used in this course. The contextual approach to understanding a piece of art is to
take into consideration the physical and social environment in which the art was produced. Iconology (the study of
artistic images and their symbolism and interpretation) is a part of the contextual methodology. Art can be better
understood if one can understand the meaning of the icons of the society and/or culture.
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How art and architecture reflects and relate to the natural environment.
The role of the artist in that particular society, culture, etc.
Forms of patronage, what reason or purpose was work created.
The role of the viewer
Identification of political and/or economic forces, issues and influences the impact the viewing, making and
experiencing the art
How religious forces within the culture are manifested in art and architecture.
Formalism
Formal analysis is the oldest method. The artwork is studied for it formal qualities. Formalism is simply looking at art
outside of its “historical” and/or “social” context and instead analyzes the work based upon the established use of the
fundaments of art and design principles. This method was somewhat inspired by the philosophical meanderings Plato
and Emmanuel Kant
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Works of art and architecture are classified into a certain culture and/or period.
How the fundamentals are manipulated and accepted within a particular time period or culture is the major
determinant in finding the meaning in the art work.
Meaning of subject matter can be interpreted in various ways by the formal qualities of works of art.
[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
Summary and Study Guide
Marxism:
Obviously a political method of analyzing. Karl Marx was a German writer and philosopher whose ideas
on societies and their hierarchy would become the basis for the communist movement. Marxism looks
primarily at artist and their role as proletariat (workers) who are exploited by the bourgeois (upper class)
to create artwork. The artist is than alienated from their creation. Marxist would also consider in their
analysis the economic, social and political factors.
Feminism
Art and meaning that is motivated by the gender of the viewer. Feminist Art historians look at art that
is produced by women; as well as the availability of education and materials for female artists. The
term and type of what is “art” is challenged and broadened.
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Women of various socio-economic statuses are portrayed.
Naming specific women artist.
Question familiar stereotypes and myths about gender
Assessing the contribution of female artists, patrons, etc.
Semilogy
Based on literary critical method, a way to interpret codes and conventions that determine a meaning in
works of art. Art is “signed” by the governing social conventions (values and mores) that are in
operating at the time of its creations. Art historians refer to these “signs” as icons (iconology) for
alternative readings.
Deconstructionist
question ones automatic response to piece of art and instead is asked to suspend and evaluate
assumptions about the work. Therefore meaning is suspended as layers of previous interpretations are
systematically peeled away to reveal multiple alternative readings.
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Investigate alternative interpretation of art and architecture.
Identify possible deficiencies, weaknesses and/or inadequacies in usual interpretation.
C. Questions stereotypical and acquired meanings that are ascribed to a work of art.
Psychoanalysis:
This is a pretty straight forward method. Psychoanalysis method is based on the theories of the “Father
of Psychiatry” Sigmund Freud. His analysis of Leonardo da Vinci was based on the art work and personal
symbols. Psychoanalysis uses imagery (particularly dream imagery) and past experiences in order to
interpret a person’s emotional state. In art history it is pretty much the same thing. The artist’s personal
symbols, work practices are used to better understand the finished piece.
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How objects are placed within a composition and possible meanings of their interrelationship.
Use of expressive use fundamentals of art.
Symbolic (iconic) elements and interpretation of meaning in a particular culture.
Role of viewer is more anticipated and encouraged.
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[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
Summary and Study Guide
Common Terms Used to Describe Works of Art:
Realistic and Naturalistic are terms used interchangeable but there are
some differences.
Realism
Realism actually tries to reproduce subjects as they actually appear.
This statue of David by Bernini is considered realistic because of the
movement of the figure, the musculature of the body and the intense
look of the face as he flings the slingshot. The body has the appropriate
sense of movement which helps to create the illusion that we are
looking at a “real” person.
Naturalism
Naturalism shows objects as they somewhat appear. To the left is the
statue of St George by Donatello. There is no doubt that this is a man
with a shield. But on closer inspection, the figure is somewhat stiff, in
spite of the leaning of the figure. The facial features are rather generic
and overall proportions are a bit idealized.
Abstraction
Abstraction does not depict objects realistically or naturally. For the
most part abstraction is a choice for traditional trained artists.
Abstraction can be achieved by exaggerating, manipulating, omitting
certain elements of the subject. Our example on the right is a classical
Greek statue of a Warrior. The ancient Greeks were well known for
their artistic abilities; they created beautiful life size sculptures that
appeared to be “real”. Yet our warrior does show some abstraction. In
their quest to create perfection the Greeks would idealized the human
form to such a degree that the statue start to appear abstracted. The
musculature of this warrior is over done; he looks like he is on steroids
(not available in ancient Greece). The face is generic and does not fit
the body. Not an extreme case of abstraction, but one can see the
overt manipulation of the form.
Expressionism and abstraction
Expressionism and abstraction are also terms that are used
interchangeably. The one difference is that expressionistic artwork is
driven by the personal concerns of the artist. The artist executes the
work in a manner that the viewer can “see” (feel) the artist’s action
when creating the work. Serpentine by Matisse is a cast bronze statue.
Just looking at this sculpture one can see the movement of Matisse as
he worked the wax model. Also the long linear, twisting (Serpentine)
quality of the figure, makes creates a sense of liveliness.
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[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
Summary and Study Guide
Nonrepresentational or non objective
Nonrepresentational or non objective art is work that does not
resemble an actual object. This style is often created and judged purely
by its formal qualities. Cubi IV by David Smith is made from
prefabricated metal that Smith had welded together. We as the
viewers are asked to look at this work, not for information or narrative,
but to enjoy it based on its formal qualities. In Saraband by Morris
Louis; Louis wanted to strip away any extra meaning from his art so he
took out all reference to figure or theme. His use of color has no
meaning because he felt that color is supposed to have no agenda. This
is a painting about painting.
Keep in mind that as you look at the art produced from prehistory to the 14th century that you are
looking at it with 21st century “eyes”. Do not assume that the prehistorical people did not have the
“skill” reproduced “realistic” art (the ability to accurately reproduce objects and people does not
necessarily make a good artist). While seeing is culturally biased, you are asked to step beyond your
culture and gain a more comprehensive understanding of art from the past civilizations. What you will
probably come away with is that humans have not changed a whole heck of a lot in the past several
thousand years.
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[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
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Summary and Study Guide
Study Questions
1.
List 5 major questions that art historians ask when assessing a work of art:
2.
Look through the textbook and select an image other than one used in the Introduction that you think represents each of the following:
Period style
Regional style
Personal style
3.
To what type of space do the terms plane and area refer?
Define the following terms as used by art historians, using the text and glossary:
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Formal analysis
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Form
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Composition
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Material
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Technique
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Line
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Contour line
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Hue
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Value or Tonality
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Intensity or Saturation
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Primary colors (examples)
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Secondary colors (examples)
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Complementary colors (examples)
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Texture
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Space
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Mass
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Volume
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Perspective
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Foreshortening
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Proportion
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Hierarchy of scale
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Canons
26.
Define the following sculptural terms:
High relief
Low relief (bas relief)
[INTRODUCTION: WHY DO WE STUDY ART HISTORY?]
Summary and Study Guide
27.
Name 2 types of material that could be used in creating subtractive sculpture:
28.
Name 2 types of material that could be used in creating additive sculpture:
29.
Define the architectural terms:
Plan
Section
Elevation
30.
What is the significance of context in the study of art history?
31.
Why is the establishment of a correct chronological sequence important to art historians?
32.
What is iconography and what are its functions in art-historical study?
33.
How does patronage affect the content and form of a work of art?
34.
What do the two portraits of Te Pehikupe (Intro-19) tell us about the ways that artists from different cultures depict reality?
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