Subject Matter and Content Design Answers

Representational: Art depicting something easily recognized. Objective: Art with recognizable forms such as a figure. Realistic: Representing objects as they truly appear. Naturalistic: Representing objects as they appear in nature.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The subject matter in this piece is the natural landscape of the tree, paths, and mountains. The content in this piece is created by the artist’s use of calm hues in the trees and sky, and the blending brushstrokes used among the trees, which seem to flow together with the ground and mountains. These elements evoke a sense of peace and serenity.

Answer will vary but may include the following: This painting, called Flower Still Life, is an example of realistic art. The artist is from the Netherlands, which influenced his flower portrayal in th painting.

Form is the overall structure of the visual elements of a piece. Form can be represented by four categories: representational, objective, realistic, and naturalist.

Answer will vary but may include the following: In this piece, the rectangles, the vertical and horizontal lines, and lack of hue create a sense of harmony. There is balance and proportion because although the rectangles are different, no one rectangle overpowers the others, and the size relationship among the rectangles is agreeable to the eye. There is a sense of movement and depth, through the use of shading and shadowing. It almost appears like some of squares are popping out. There is variety created by the different rectangle sizes, the shading, and the shadowing.

Answer will vary but may include the following: This piece is abstract. It is unknown to the eye what exactly it is looking at without an explanation. To many at first glance, this piece may look like a collect paint that has been stroked and blobbed, without careful planning or though, across a canvas. Therefore, there is not a clear subject matter, and no universal decision could be made. There is however content. When you look a this piece is does create feelings, however they may be different for each person who views the piece and for the artist himself.

Design, or the overall composition of the piece, largely influences the content, or the feelings created within the piece and felt by the observer.

Answer will vary but may include the following: The subject of this piece is the four figures standing on the beach. The content of the mood reflected by the colors and the musical qualities and movement reflected in the brushstrokes.

The sculpture is of an ancient Greek disc thrower, right before the man is about to circle, to throw the disc. It is objective because it clearly shows the activity the man is doing, which no one can debate as it is a sport/activity that most people today would recognize, and would not be confused with any other sport. The man’s physical features and body placement are also objective, and inarguable.