Art is a form of human activity that transcends the ordinary, utilitarian functions of other activities. It is the articulation of an idea or emotion not easily captured in words. It is a way to experience the mystery of life. It is an expression of the imagination that gives us the ability to create our own reality.
The subject-matter of art is feelings which can be spread from man to man, feelings “contagious” or “infectious.” Whether these sensations are joy, pleasure, sorrow, despair, courage, or despondency, they are all art. They are all created by the artist and transmitted to his spectators or listeners, and they may affect them as strongly as he did.
Those who enjoy making and looking at art, history or cultures, literature and languages are likely to have an interest in learning about this field. Art is a complex and varied area of study, covering a wide range of styles, time periods and world traditions. It is an extremely fascinating and rewarding discipline to learn about.
It is not necessary to be an expert in all aspects of art to be able to talk about it or teach it. However, it is important to have some understanding of the fundamentals to be able to ask good questions and discuss ideas. This course will introduce you to the basic principles of art and help you develop an understanding of how to analyze and interpret works of art.
This course is designed to be a self-paced learning experience and will provide you with all the tools needed to start analyzing and interpreting works of art on your own. Each week you will look at one artwork and work through the steps of description, analysis, interpretation and judgment/evaluation. The format stays the same every week and each step builds upon the previous one. This will ensure that you take the time to fully observe and understand the work you are analyzing.
The Grove Art Online is a gold standard for reference texts on art history. It is available in libraries and many public institutions and can be purchased for use at home.
The first requirement for something to be considered art is that it get people to look at it longer than a passing glance. Money helps with this; a $5 million painting attracts more attention than a $50 painting. It also helps if the work is in an established style; nobody asks “but is that art?” if it’s a picture of a pretty landscape or a statue of a naked woman.