LESSON 2
Examining Artworks
When you see an interesting movie, do
you keep the experience to yourself, or do
you tell your friends about it? This eagerness
to share experiences and feelings with others is a typical human trait. It is also a reason
why artists like to make art. Artists are people who use imagination, creativity, and skill to
communicate ideas in visual form. Artists often
use problem-solving skills to effectively communicate their ideas. These ideas may represent experiences, feelings, or events in the
artist’s life.
ARTISTS
AND THEIR
WORK
Artists are creative thinkers who often
use their problem-solving skills. Artists combine a knowledge of art materials, tools, and
methods with a rich imagination and deep
sensitivity. They use this combination to present their views of and reactions to the world
around them.
Fine Art
Have you heard the expression “Art for
art’s sake”? This expression refers to art valued for its visual appeal or success in communicating ideas or feelings. Such art is known as
fine art.
Fine art can be made with a variety of materials. The sculpture in Figure 1–3 is made
of bronze, the one in Figure 1–4 of stones.
Figure 1–5 is an oil painting. The artist who
made it applied paint to canvas. What materials were used by the artist who did the
painting that opened this chapter on page 2?
Applied Art
In contrast to fine art, applied art is art
made to be functional as well as visually pleasing.
Many of the objects used in daily life can be
Figure 1–3 How do
you think this sculpture
would feel to the touch?
What role might this have
played in the artist’s choice
of materials?
Constantin Brancusi. Mlle
Pogany. (Margin Pogany).
1913. Bronze. 43.8 21.5 31.7 cm (171⁄4 81⁄2 121⁄2).
Museum of Modern Art,
New York, New York.
Acquired through the Lillie
P. Bliss Bequest. © 2003
Artists Rights Society (ARS),
New York/ADAGP, Paris.
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Chapter 1
Art in Your World
Figure 1–4 The artist gathered stones to create this
artwork. What materials in your community might you use in
your own art?
Andy Goldsworthy. Storm King Wall. Field stone. Approx.
1.5 694.5 m (5 2,2786 overall). Storm King Art Center,
Mountainville, New York. Photograph by Jerry L. Thompson.
Figure 1–5
What time of year is depicted in this nature scene? How can you tell?
John Constable. Wivenhoe Park, Essex. 1816. Oil on canvas. 56.1 101.2 cm (221⁄8 397⁄8).
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Widener Collection.
classified as applied art. Jewelry, pottery, and
furniture are examples of applied art.
Another example is the “art object” in
Figure 1–6. You probably have one of these
items in your home. It’s a teapot. Look closely
at this particular teapot. Notice the unusual
design of the pot. Examine the painting on its
surface. Did you notice the lizard that is
perched below the teapot’s spout? This teapot
can be classified as applied art because it
serves a practical purpose and is visually
pleasing. How does it compare to the teapot
in your home?
Today the distinction between fine and
applied art is fading. The teapot you just examined is displayed in a museum. As you
will learn in the chapter on crafts, various
items such as drinking vessels, pitchers, and
bowls, have come into their own as fine art.
Check Your
Understanding
1. What is an artist?
2. What is fine art? Name two pieces of fine
art shown in this lesson.
3. What is applied art? Can any teapot be
classified as applied art? Why or why not?
Figure 1–6 Why do you think the artist gave this object
the name he did?
Kurt Weiser. Blue Horizon. 1992. Porcelain, china paint. The
Mint Museums, Charlotte, North Carolina. Museum purchase:
Delhom Service League Fund. 1993. 5a–b
Lesson 2 Examing Artworks
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