What is Art?
Author: John Published Under: History
For many, the idea of what is Art is rather straightforward, but in truth, it is a very complicated manner that often differs greatly from one person to the next. Art is in many regards truly in the eye of the beholder.
What one person deems as a masterpiece, may not even warrant a second glance by another. This understanding is lost on some, but is the basis for all art and the factors that influence a person's like or dislike can vary greatly.
Being Able to Relate
One of the main factors that influences someones taste in all types of art is being able to relate to it or finding something familiar in it. This is especially true of music, where it is not uncommon for a particular song to resonate with someone, as they recall past events or beliefs that are represented by the words of the song.
Often, this is more of a case of the person projecting their emotions into the song , which is not always the same as the intentions of the artist. Physical art, such as paintings, statues, and drawings is much the same, with people seeing things in artwork that reminds them of their life.
Seeing What you Like to See in Real Life
Another big motivator in someones art preferences is that the artwork portrays something they would actually like to see in real life. This could be a beautiful scene from nature or perhaps a portrait. This need is not so much something that is represented in art, but more of something that is a natural feeling, expressed by artists.
This is not necessarily always a good thing though, as it is possible to, after seeing an incredibly realistic and beautiful piece of art, compare other pieces of art to this one cherished piece. In many cases, this can lead someone to become biased against other pieces of artwork, rather than accepting each piece of art for what it is, which is an expression of the artists mind.
Making Us See Things we Wouldn't Have Otherwise
In many cases, artwork also forces us to see things that we might not want to otherwise. For example, in Albrecht Durer's Portrait of his mother, which was created in 1514, the portrait portrays an older worn woman, who is in some regards haggard. Durer's drawing forces us to see the reality of age, which might not always be pleasant for everyone.
Considering the Artist's Intentions
Something to remember when considering a piece of artwork, specifically realism, is that often the beauty of the subject might not actually be real in the sense that it accurately portrays the person, but it is instead the way the artist felt about the subject. In many ways, it is the artists own feelings, which are again reflected in the work.
Understanding Art is Subjective
In the end, the beauty and merit of artwork is incredibly hard to rate, with the mere process usually being an injustice to the artist. What is beautiful to one could very well be horrid to another, so to judge or review artwork, you must understand and accept this.
The same can be said of the expressions of people used in paintings and artwork. Many prefer an expression, such as the sorrow seen in the painting the Head of Christ, while others prefer an expression that is not so obvious. Again, this highlights the importance of personal interpretation in regards to art.
Many of those who appreciate art, relish in pictures and paintings that are done to closely resemble what it is portray. The strong attention to detail and work can be seen in this type of art. An excellent example of this is Durer Hare, which depicts a rabbit in painstaking detail.
At the same time, it is not uncommon for these same people to take umbrage when they see a realistic painting that “Just gets it wrong.” For this reason, it is important to not just consider the art itself, but also the artists intentions, as they could have full well intended for the image to be “wrong.”
Above all else, when considering and enjoying art, it is essential to not get too hung up on judging things you do not like, but rather find things you do.