Lena Rivera
Iconography is the study of the content of paintings, rather than their style. In casual speech, the terms 'depict' and 'paint' often overlap when referring to the subject matter of a painting. However, 'to depict' stresses the idea, subject, and content, whereas 'to paint' emphasizes the action and medium. Abstract painting uses a visual language of form, colour, and line to create a composition that may exist with a degree of independence from visual references in the world. Abstract expressionism, for example, is a style of painting in which paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed, or smeared onto the canvas. In contrast, decorative art emphasizes colour, pattern, and surface beauty rather than narrative, symbolism, or intellectual content.
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What You'll Learn
- Iconography: the study of content in paintings, rather than their style
- Action painting: a style of painting where paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed, or smeared
- Decorative: a term used to describe works emphasising colour, pattern, and surface beauty
- Pure abstraction: a style of art where the depiction of real objects is entirely discarded
- Photorealism: a genre of painting that uses photographs to gather information and create a realistic image
Iconography: the study of content in paintings, rather than their style
Iconography is the term that refers specifically to the content of paintings, rather than their style. It is derived from the Greek words eikōn, meaning "image", and graphein, meaning "to write".
The study of iconography involves analysing the subject matter, themes, and symbolism within a painting. It focuses on the elements depicted in the artwork and their meanings, rather than the artistic techniques or movements associated with the work. This can include interpreting historical, cultural, or religious references, as well as identifying specific figures, objects, or narratives that are represented in the painting.
For example, in the field of art history, an art historian might use iconography to analyse and interpret the subject matter of a painting, such as a historical event or a mythological scene. They might also explore the symbolic meanings of certain elements within the composition, such as specific colours, objects, or gestures, which can carry deeper significance beyond their visual representation.
Iconography can also be applied to understanding the intentions and motivations of the artist. By studying the content of a painting, art historians and critics can gain insight into the artist's perspective, beliefs, or social and cultural context. This approach, often referred to as "Extreme Intentionalism", considers the artist's experience and intentions as crucial to interpreting the content and meaning of the artwork.
Additionally, iconography plays a significant role in understanding the function and purpose of art. By examining the content of paintings, scholars can explore how art has been used throughout history for various purposes, such as ritualistic, decorative, or symbolic functions. This helps to shed light on the cultural, social, and intellectual contexts in which the artworks were created, contributing to a deeper understanding of the role of art in society.
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Action painting: a style of painting where paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed, or smeared
Action painting is a style of painting where paint is spontaneously dribbled, splashed, smeared, thrown, stained, splattered, or poured onto the canvas, as opposed to being carefully applied with a brush. The style was widespread from the 1940s until the early 1960s and is closely associated with abstract expressionism. The term was coined by American art critic Harold Rosenberg in 1952, in his essay "The American Action Painters", to describe the work of artists who painted using bold gestures that engaged more of the body than traditional easel painting.
Action painting is characterised by the use of spontaneous and gestural brushwork, often resulting in broad brushstrokes, drips, and splashes that are left visible in the final work. This style of painting emphasises the physical act of painting itself, with the artist's arm and wrist movements becoming an essential aspect of the finished piece. The canvas is seen as "an arena in which to act", with the painter's individual psyche and universal expressions of feeling being conveyed through their spontaneous and physical process of creation.
The major artists associated with this movement include Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Robert Motherwell, Franz Kline, and Mark Rothko, among others. Jackson Pollock, in particular, is known for his unique techniques in action painting, such as letting the paint drip onto the canvas while rhythmically dancing or standing on top of the unstretched canvas laid on the floor. This approach, as described in the 1951 film "Jackson Pollock 51" by directors Hans Namuth and Paul Falkenberg, allowed Pollock to feel "nearer, more part of the painting".
The paintings of Action painters were not meant to portray objects or specific emotions. Instead, they aimed to evoke a sense of the primeval and tap into the collective subconscious of the viewer, using Jung and Freud's ideas of the subconscious as their foundation. This style of painting prioritised the artist's internal visions and spontaneous expressions over careful representation, creating a powerful and raw emotional experience for both the painter and the observer.
Action painting, also known as "gestural abstraction", represents a significant shift in the aesthetic perspective of New York School painters and critics. It is closely linked to the New York School of American Abstract Expressionism (1940s-50s) and has drawn comparisons to the French tachisme.
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Decorative: a term used to describe works emphasising colour, pattern, and surface beauty
The decorative arts are often distinguished from the fine arts, which include painting, drawing, photography, and large-scale sculpture. The decorative arts are concerned with the design and decoration of objects that are primarily valued for their utility rather than their aesthetic qualities. Objects associated with the decorative arts include ceramics, glassware, basketry, jewellery, metalware, furniture, textiles, and clothing.
The promotion of fine arts over the decorative in European thought can be traced back to the Renaissance, when Italian theorists such as Vasari promoted artistic values exemplified by High Renaissance artists like Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. These artists prioritised artistic imagination and the individual touch of the master over the cost of materials or the skill required to produce a work.
In the 1970s, writers and art historians like Amy Goldin and Anne Swartz challenged the view of decoration as a 'lesser art'. The argument for a singular narrative in art had waned by the end of the 20th century due to post-modernist irony and increasing curatorial interest in street art and ethnic decorative traditions. The Pattern and Decoration movement in New York galleries during the 1980s contributed to a more inclusive evaluation of art objects.
The distinction between decorative and fine arts is largely a modern, Western concept, arising from post-Renaissance art. In other cultures and periods, the decorative arts may be the most valued works. For example, Islamic art and the art of many traditional cultures often consist entirely of decorative arts, utilising geometric and plant forms.
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Pure abstraction: a style of art where the depiction of real objects is entirely discarded
Pure abstraction refers to a style of art in which the depiction of real objects is entirely discarded, and the aesthetic content is expressed using shapes, lines, colours, and gestural marks. Artists who create such works often aim to capture a feeling or an emotion, such as joy, or the spiritual, through their art. This style of art is also referred to as non-objective art, concrete art, or pure abstraction.
Abstract art, in general, is a style of art that does not attempt to represent an accurate depiction of visual reality. Instead, it uses shapes, colours, forms, and gestural marks to achieve its effect. The term "abstract" means to separate or withdraw something from something else. Abstract art is often seen as carrying a moral dimension, representing virtues such as order, purity, simplicity, and spirituality.
Abstract art is closely related to non-figurative art, non-objective art, and non-representational art. These terms have similar but not identical meanings. The development of abstract art was influenced by the desire to create a new kind of art that would encompass the fundamental changes taking place in technology, science, and philosophy.
Abstract art can be further categorised into geometric abstraction and lyrical abstraction, which are often totally abstract. Art movements that embody partial abstraction include Fauvism, which alters colours from reality, and Cubism, which alters the forms of real-life entities.
Some notable artists who have created abstract art include Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, Natalia Goncharova, Mikhail Larionov, Kasimir Malevich, Piet Mondrian, and Georgia O'Keeffe. These artists have contributed significantly to the development and exploration of abstract art.
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Photorealism: a genre of painting that uses photographs to gather information and create a realistic image
Photorealism is a genre of painting that uses photographs as a reference to create a realistic image. This technique involves using a camera to gather information about the subject matter and then creating a painting that appears very similar to the reference photograph. The resulting work often has a high level of detail and resembles a photograph, hence the term "photo"-realism.
The use of photographs as a reference allows artists to achieve a level of realism that would be challenging to capture from life. By using a photograph, artists can freeze a moment in time and capture specific details that may otherwise be difficult to reproduce in a painting. This technique can be particularly useful for capturing complex scenes, such as cityscapes or crowded places, and for creating highly detailed works that require a high level of precision.
Photorealism as a movement emerged in the late 20th century as a response to the abstract expressionism of the mid-20th century. Artists working in this style sought to create highly realistic images that resembled photographs, often using photographic references as a starting point. This movement was characterized by a focus on technical skill and attention to detail, with artists striving to create paintings that were indistinguishable from photographs.
While photorealism is often associated with hyper-realistic depictions of subjects, it is important to note that the resulting paintings are still interpretations of the reference photographs. Artists may choose to emphasize certain elements or alter specific details to enhance the final composition. Additionally, the choice of subject matter and the context in which it is presented can convey deeper meanings or narratives beyond mere visual resemblance to a photograph.
Photorealism has been a subject of debate in the art world. Some critics argue that it lacks creativity and relies too heavily on the mechanical process of reproducing a photograph. Others, however, view photorealism as a demonstration of technical mastery and a unique artistic approach that blends traditional painting techniques with modern tools.
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Frequently asked questions
Painting. This term refers to the act of applying pigment to a surface using tools such as brushes or knives.
Iconography.
Decorative.
Abstract painting.
