gr. 11/12 unit 2
DESCRIPTION
Study of Figurative ArtTRANSCRIPT
Unit 2: Expressive Figures
Themes in Figurative Art
Figurative Art – art that uses the human figure as a subject
Common themes:
Religion/ spirituality, love, emotions, death, war, body image, perceived beauty, portraits, human interaction, dreams/ contemplation, sports
As we go through images of historical and contemporary artwork, you will determine what theme each artwork is presenting.
Venus of Willendorf, 25,000B.C.
THEME:
STYLE: exaggerated & abstract
TECHNIQUE: carved limestone
ARTIST'S INTENT: This is a fertility figure. So women may have kept it near them if they wanted to have a baby.
Discus Thrower, 450B.C.
THEME:
STYLE: realistic & detailed, full of potential movement
TECHNIQUE: carved marble
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show athletic energy & to study anatomy
Lord Shiva, 900 A.D. THEME: STYLE: symbolic objects & poses, graceful figure
TECHNIQUE: cast bronze
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the different roles of the Hindu god, Shiva.
In this sculpture, Shiva stands on top of the demon of ignorance. He is in the middle of his dance of destruction-creation of the world.
Shiva holds a drum in his top R hand symbolizing the passing of time.
He holds a flame in his top L hand, symbolizing destruction before creation.
His second R hand is in the “fear not” gesture.
His second L hand points to the raised leg, which symbolizes liberation.
Jamb Figures, Chartres Cathedral,France
THEME: STYLE: simplified figures, very stiff and formal TECHNIQUE: carved stone
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the Kings & Queens of the Old Testament (in the Bible) on the columns of the doorways to the Cathedral
“The Great Buddha”, Japanese sculpture, 1252
THEME: STYLE: simplified figure, peaceful, symmetricalTECHNIQUE: cast bronze
ARTIST'S INTENT: to honour Shakyamuni Buddha, the spiritual and philosophical teacher and founder of Buddhism; he is shown in meditation, a key component of Buddhism.
David, by Bernini, 1623, Baroque Era
THEME:
STYLE: realistic & detailed, full of action & emotion
TECHNIQUE: carved marble
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show David, from the Bible story of David & Goliath.
The Israelites were at war with the Phillistines, who had a giant warrior: Goliath.
David, a young shepherd, was the only Israelite brave enough to fight Goliath. He killed Goliath using his sling shot. He slung a stone into Goliath's forehead.
“Third of May”, F. Goya
THEME: STYLE: simplified figures in a landscape, clear focus on the rebelsTECHNIQUE: acrylic painting
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the executions of Spanish rebels who fought against the invasion of Napoleon's French army.
“Odalisque”, by Jean A. D. Ingres, 1814THEME: STYLE: beautified figure, not totally realisticTECHNIQUE: oil paint on canvas
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show the beauty of the female figure.
An odalisque was a female slave in the Turkish Empire. The word “odalisque” later came to mean the mistress of a wealthy man.
“The Thinker”, A. Rodin
THEME: STYLE: realistic
TECHNIQUE: cast bronze
ARTIST'S INTENT: to depict a man in deep thought
“The Scream”, E. Munch
THEME:
STYLE: expressionist – focused on portraying emotion
TECHNIQUE: paint and pastel on cardboard
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show a figure in agonizing anxiety. This feeling of intense fear is also shown in the tumultuous landscape in the background.
“The Kiss”, G. Klimt
THEME: STYLE: simplified figures, abstract choice of colours & patternsTECHNIQUE: oil paint and gold leaf (collaged gold) on canvas
ARTIST'S INTENT: To show a couple locked in intimacy, against a background of shimmering, extravagant pattern
“Call of Death”, Kathe Kollwitz, 1934
THEME: STYLE: simplified figure, strong contrast of black & whiteTECHNIQUE: charcoal on paper
ARTIST'S INTENT: to show a woman as death approaches
“The Swimming Race”, Alex Colville, 1958 (Canadian)
THEME: STYLE: simplified forms, cartoon-like figures, modern background; looks like a photo
TECHNIQUE: oil paint on masonite board
ARTIST'S INTENT: to capture the moment the race begins
Annie Leibovitz
THEME: STYLE: elaborately staged portraits, strong light & deep shadow
TECHNIQUE: photography
ARTIST'S INTENT: to capture her subjects in a dramatic setting, and to create a story with the image.
Diane Arbus, “Identical Twins, Cathleen and Colleen”, 1967
THEME: STYLE: staged portraitTECHNIQUE: black and white photography
ARTIST'S INTENT: Arbus liked to photograph rare, unusual people. She questioned the idea of what is normal.
Alex Colville, “A Couple on the Beach”, 1977
THEME: STYLE: simplified forms, cartoon-like figures, modern background; looks like a photo
TECHNIQUE: paint on masonite board
ARTIST'S INTENT: To capture a moment between two people in an everyday setting.
Ken Danby, “At the Crease”, 1972 (Canadian)
THEME: STYLE: photographic realismTECHNIQUE: paint on canvas ARTIST'S INTENT: To capture a snapshot of the game he enjoyed.