Communicating our ideas about individuals & human nature The Human Figure in Art Communicating our ideas about individuals & human nature
How to structure your notes: Title page 1 “Elements of Art” Skip 1 page Title page 3 “Principles of Art” Title page 5 with today’s lecture subject “The Human Figure in Art” and write down all other vocabulary/discussed ideas
Through art, different cultures communicate their ideas of the individual & humanity Andrew Wyeth, Christina's World, c. 1948 What is going on in this picture? What is she doing?
What do you think the artist was trying to say about humanity here? Discobolos (disc thrower) c. 450 BC. Marble Roman
Idealized Humanity & Body: Shows humanity and the body at its best IMPORTANT! Different cultures have different ideas about what is a perfect body and why.
Akuaba Figure, 1800-1900 Ghana (Africa): exaggerates the ideal of high, oval foreheads; delicate mouth; fat necks Foreheads of infants are frequently messaged to be that way in real life. Fat necks were a sign of wealth and health.
Venus Before the Mirror. Peter Paul Ruben. Europe,1615 Full figures represented wealth & luxury and were therefore beautiful.
Japanese Anime: list what you think they might consider beautiful in this culture! Ideal is blonde, wild hair, light eyes, large heads, childlike expression
What is being communicated here? The Last Judgement by Gislebertus, ca. 1130-1135 France
Less than Perfect Humanity Humanity is imperfect Should strive toward perfection
What about here?
Self & Surroundings: How we create images of bodies to express larger ideas & inner emotions What could THIS be about?
Body Alteration: Maori Tattoo Line: element of art Maori tribe in New Zealand thought of facial tattoos as a sign of authority and power.
Our Figure Drawing Project: Uses 2 artists as inspiration who use the human figure in their artwork but in completely different ways. Combines several elements & principles of design together.
Figure Drawing: uses the human form as the main subject matter
Henri Matisse 1869-1954 French artist best known for his bright paintings His paintings had many flat shapes, outlines and expressive colors (non-realistic)
Shape: (element) area closed off by a line
Pattern: (principle) repeated elements to increase surface texture
Picasso 1881-1973 Spanish painter best known for inventing “Cubism” Could paint VERY realistically & also expressively Paintings had flat shapes and natural colors Self portrait 1899-1900
Contour Line: (element) outside edge of an object
Cubism: Invented mostly by Pablo Picasso Parts of objects & the figure are broken up and investigated individually Influenced by African Masks
Picasso’s artwork
Value: (element) how light or dark something is
Rhythm: (principle) repetition and variety of elements
Wrap up questions Artists haven’t been using images of the body for very long in history. T or F When we make art that incorporates the physical body, we can communicate our ideas of humanity. T or F Artists make art that is about and for their cultures. T or F Artists are not influenced by anything outside of themselves. T or F
Answers FALSE: Artists HAVE been using images of the body for very long in history. TRUE: When we make art that incorporates the physical body, we can communicate our ideas of humanity. TRUE: Artists make art that is about and for their cultures. FALSE: Artists ARE influenced by anything outside of themselves.