What Is Art?

Combing the Hair: Edgar Degas - 1896

A work of art is a visual expression of an idea or experience created with skill.

Atmospheric art: sketchy – using just a few colors – suggests an image without copying it.

Portrait of Madame: Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres. Moitessier Sitting.

1856.

A work of art is a visual expression of an idea or experience created with skill.

Photographic art: an image copied as exact as possible.

Sunday Afternoon on the Island La Grande Jatte: Georges Seurat in the late 1880s

Visual art includes drawing, print making, sculpture, architecture, photography, filmmaking, crafts...

Visual art also includes graphic arts, industrial and commercial design, video, and computer art.

To perceive is to become deeply aware through the six senses of the special nature of a visual object. Perception is a sensation to which you attach meaning. To understand and receive communication from a work of art, you must train yourself to perceive.

Personal functions – artists create art to express personal feelings; love, sadness, outrage, pride, wonder, etc.

Social function – artists produce art to identify and celebrate those in a family, community, or civilization; family photographs, coat of arms, flag, costumes, uniforms, etc.

Spiritual function – artists may create art to express spiritual beliefs about the destiny of life; cave paintings, ancient temples, religious art, etc.

Physical functions – artists and crafts people invent new ways to create functional art; automobile designers, architects, computer software and hardware designers, etc.

Educational function – In the past, many people could not read and art was often created to provide visual instruction. Artists produced art works such as symbols painted on signs to give information. Viewers could learn from these artworks.